Grey’s Anatomy is bringing back Isaiah Washington, one of their original and controversial stars.
Isaiah Washington portrayed Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC medical drama, is set to reprise his role on the Shonda Rhimes medical drama, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Washington will return as a guest star for a May episode in the medical drama. This will be seven years after hew as fired following on-set arguments and anti-gay remarks he made to co-star T.R. Knight.
Washington is set to return in the series to say goodbye to Sandra Oh’s character., who was at one point engaged to marry Washington’s character. Oh will leave Grey’s Anatomy after 10 seasons.
“It’s important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should,” showrunner Rhimes said in a statement. “Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”
After his controversial remarks, Washington apologized for his comments calling his behavior “unacceptable in any context”.
LGBT group GLAAD praised Washington’s return to the series.”His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people,” GLAAD said in a statement, praising the actor for his role in the feature film Blackbird.
“We look forward to seeing him return to one of our favorite shows, as well as in Patrik-Ian Polk’s moving film Blackbird about a young man coming out in a small Southern town.”
