EXCLUSIVE: In April 2021, ABC’s first responders drama Station 19 aired an episode hailed as one of the most powerful reflections of George Floyd’s murder on television. It was written by executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff, with contributions from the show’s writing and support staff as well as the cast.
A year later, the writing team of The Daily Beast has been left by an incident involving racism. Grey’s AnatomySpinoff reeling. According to sources, it had to do with a writer’s recent draft of an outline for an upcoming Season 6 episode that included numerous uses of a racial slur by a racist character.
According to my sources, the outline was met with shock when it was shared with the writers room. Tensions reached a point where the virtual space was put on pause. Vernoff, who sent an email Monday to the staff, was quoted in Deadline. “recent harm and systemic issues”This would be discussed in a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. Jones, a consultant in organizational psychology who specializes in fostering diversity within work environments and in leadership, was scheduled to attend.
“We will not be meeting creatively nor should we email as a group until then,”Vernoff emailed her Monday staff email announcing the Tuesday meeting. “We will not proceed with business as usual until the recent harm and systemic issues have been addressed and healing has begun. If you are on script or outline please work on your own for the moment.”
Sources tell Deadline that communication between the writers has been resumed after the meeting. The show’s virtual writers room has not been reconvened, however, while the situation is being evaluated and safeguards are being put in place.
Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland is behind both Grey’s AnatomySpinoff Station 19.Sources say that the company intervened quickly after the incident, citing sources.
“As a company, it is in our DNA to constantly review the culture of our productions and to quickly make changes if and when they are not living up to the Shondaland values,”The company stated this in a statement to Deadline. “A recent situation in the writers’ room at Station 19 provided us with opportunities to reimagine the structure of leadership in the name of creating a more respectful and inclusive workplace.”
ABC Signature and ABC Signature are the studios that produce Station 19We declined to comment.
It is not clear what the new leadership structure would look like on the show. Vernoff manages both. Grey’s AnatomyAnd Station 19She is her No. 2 and highest lieutenant Station 19Kiley Donovan. According to Donovan, who has been involved in both, the potential changes could include Donovan working as a head writer. Grey’s AnatomyAnd Station 19For the past three years, it is possible to move to another Shondaland series.
The fate of the controversial script is still unknown. The offensive section will not be used.
Production Station 19‘s upcoming sixth season started July 28. It’s scheduled to premiere October 6.
Station 19, ABC’s No. 2 scripted shows behind Grey’s Anatomy,The series follows heroic Seattle firefighters as their lives are put on the line. Jaina Le Ortiz plays Andy Herrera, Jason George portrays Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe portrays Robert Sullivan, Grey Damon portrays Jack Gibson, Barrett Doss plays Victoria Hughes, Jay Hayden is Travis Montgomery, Danielle Savre plays Maya Bishop, Stefania Spinato portrays Carina DeLuca, and Carlos Miranda as Theo Ruiz.
Stacy McKee created the series. Vernoff’s executive producers are also Betsy Beers, Rhimes, and Betsy Beers. Station 19ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios, produces the show.