For ten seasons, Sandra Oh's Cristina Yang was one of the most watchable characters in primetime, bringing lots of spunky bravado to the hospital hallways. Four years after her Grey's exit, Oh is set to take on another big leading role for the excellent-looking BBC/BBC America thriller Killing Eve. No amount of new roles will likely stop rumors that Oh will return to Grey's anatomy at some point in the future, however, but the actress doesn't get upset about such false reports, as they imply how much people still love Cristina. In Oh's words:
It's so funny. Every year, it's like I hear that I'm coming back to the show. Like for real. But what I realize is, in a way that I'm really pleased and grateful for, is that the show is continuing on with its life, and that the show and the people who are still attached to the show are still attached to Cristina. It means a lot to me. Then also, clearly for me as an artist, I am moving on and very happy and excited to be in another relationship. You know what I mean? It's like I've moved on in my relationship and am so committed to this character and this show. Yeah, that's where I feel like my focus and my passion is.
It's perhaps telling that Sandra Oh used the concept of relationships to speak about Grey's Anatomy rumors, considering that series saw roughly a billion of them during her decade there. (Her Killing Eve character also has a mighty interesting relationship with Jodie Comer's Villanelle, though it's far less positive than the Grey's fandom situation.) In any case, at least Cristina's biggest adorers can take comfort in knowing she has the fondest appreciation for their consistent and lasting feelings about the character.
But for all that she graciously accepts her fans' adoration for Cristina, Sandra Oh isn't exactly in the position to drop everything and dive back into Grey's Anatomy scrubs, even if she wholeheartedly wanted to. Interestingly, she spoke of focusing on her new project and being committed to Killing Eve, as opposed to speaking negatively of heading back to her old stomping grounds.
To be sure, Sandra Oh was definitely asked about returning to Grey's Anatomy in her interview with EW, which is what sparked her first answer. When pressed for something more concrete, Oh didn't flat-out deny the possibility, but gave a response that was somewhat similar to past answers.
I will say it's hard to beat that ending, because what I also realize is that it keeps it open in so many ways where you can continue on having that relationship with Cristina. I'm not sure. I guess I can't really answer it either way where I'm sitting right now, because I'm so committed to Eve. The idea of stepping back into the Cristina shoes, it doesn't feel right to me right now. But honestly, who knows how long Grey's is gonna go?
Sandra Oh is at least keeping the door open on possible returning to Grey's Anatomy, which is likely only going to fuel further rumors, keeping the Cristina-loving cycle alive. And then one day, in Season 18, maybe she'll pop up when Cristina calls Meredith via Skype or something.
Sandra Oh's Killing Eve will debut on BBC America on Sunday, April 8, at 8 p.m. ET. While Grey's Anatomy airs at its usual Thursday night slot on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET. To see what other new and returning shows are on the way, head to our midseason premiere schedule.
