Grey’s Anatomy is going strong with multiple seasons so far and does not show any signs of slowing down. Produced by ABC and created by Shonda Rhimes (who recently created Bridgerton on Netflix), the medical drama follows Meredith Grey and her journey to becoming one of the best surgeons in the world.
So far, the series has seen Meredith climb from intern to attending to Head of General Surgery to Harper Avery award-winner. Indeed, one of Grey’s Anatomy‘s biggest strengths is its ability to juxtapose the professional and the personal, weaving together complex characters and storylines that explore work, life, and everything in between. While Meredith is the star of the show, there are a plethora of surgeons at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital that have stolen the hearts of audiences over the years. Here are our favorite surgeons on Grey’s Anatomy.
Updated in May 2023: If you enjoy watching the tantalizing medical drama Grey’s Anatomy and love the characters from the show, you’ll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional content by Darren Gigool.
13 Jo Wilson
Unconventional beginnings mark Dr. Jo Wilson’s (Camilla Luddington) narrative. A car birth and an abandonment at a fire station contribute to her unique start. Reaching the position of a general surgery resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is her biggest achievement, while she overcame homelessness and the struggles of an abusive relationship.
A gradual crescendo describes Jo Wilson’s character arc in the best manner. Her past issues manifest and evolve over the seasons, giving birth to complicated relationships and internal battles. Particularly, her bond with Alex Karev becomes a focal point of her story, and her battle with insecurities leads her to become a capable surgeon. Her character gains depth from these personal and professional tribulations.
Defined by resilience and determination, Jo Wilson’s character was a breath of fresh air to the series. Dealing with adversity, and a relentless drive for success paints her as a formidable character, aligning her with the broader themes of survival, growth, and relentless pursuit of professional mastery showcased in Grey’s Anatomy.
12 Amelia Shepherd
An indomitable spirit characterizes Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), the younger sister of the iconic Derek Shepherd. A renowned neurosurgeon, her character weaves strength and vulnerability together, battling personal demons while achieving professional success. Substance abuse forms the crux of Amelia’s narrative. Her sobriety battle, frequent relapses, and their repercussions on her relationships create a compelling storyline.
Relationships, particularly with Owen Hunt, echo the complexities of human bonds, often stormy and intricate. Amelia’s character has seen remarkable development, despite her struggles. A journey of self-discovery shapes her character arc, culminating in overcoming addiction, embracing motherhood, and carving out a reputation as a leading neurosurgeon — deepening Grey’s Anatomy’s interesting and complex narrative of intertwined layers.
11 Maggie Pierce
Profound intellectual brilliance juxtaposed with emotional vulnerability defines Dr. Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), who is a child prodigy. As the Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, her character growth is marked by this interplay. Central to Maggie’s narrative are her relationships, especially with newfound sisters Meredith Grey and Amelia Shepherd. The balancing act between professional duties and personal relationships adds an extra dimension to her character.
Dr. Maggie Pierce is a character of multifaceted depth and is one of the most lovable characters that the show has introduced to us. Transitioning from a socially awkward prodigy to a mature, empathetic doctor, her significant contributions to the hospital, and her unique perspective as an adopted child seeking her biological family, all contribute to her compelling portrayal in Grey’s Anatomy and its rich storyline.
10 Andrew DeLuca
This Italian hottie arrives and most believe him to be an attending surgeon when he is just beginning his surgical internship. Dr. Andrew DeLuca is a talented surgeon who advocates for his patients and his fellow surgeons. He even goes so far as to take credit for Meredith’s fraud so that she wouldn’t lose her license. While his time on the show was not long, it was memorable.
9 Derek Shepherd
While Rob Lowe was almost McDreamy, it’s impossible to picture anyone aside from Patrick Dempsey filling the role. Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd is considered a titan among neurosurgeons. Meredith falls for him and they carry on a relationship that starts off complicated, to say the least. Compassionate and determined, Derek is focused on his patients but also manages to make time to be romantic with the one he loves. While occasionally his ego can take hold of him, Derek usually comes around and lives up to his nickname.
8 Mark Sloan
Derek’s ex-best friend and partly responsible for the breakup of Derek’s marriage with Addison, Mark Sloan earns the name McSteamy when he arrives in Seattle. Eric Dane plays this gorgeous playboy that began as a recurrent character and made his way to become a regular as his popularity soared. He’s not just a pretty face as he proves to be the most talented plastic surgeon in the country.
7 Alex Karev
Alex Karev is a complex character who has evolved over time. He began as an ass who bullied those around him earning him the endearing nickname “Evil Spawn” from Cristina. While at times his character was detestable, spilling information that put careers at risk and reckless sexual behavior that caused a syphilis outbreak at the hospital, he has become one of the most likable characters on the show.
Over the years, he grows so much as a person that he becomes the head of Pediatric Surgery, taking over from Arizona Robbins. Working with sick children would be the last thing you would expect from someone like Karev, but he is outstanding at his job.
6 Meredith Grey
The star of Grey’s Anatomy, Dr. Meredith Grey earns a spot here for everything she’s been through and how much she’s grown as a character over the long eighteen years the show has been running. In her intern years, she was unfocused and struggled with a lot of depression that she even let herself drown when she got knocked into the Ocean. Presently, she is a single mother of three and is juggling her award-winning surgeries with maintaining a happy family life. She’s managed to do what her mother couldn’t and has a wonderful family and a dazzling career.
5 Calliope Torres
Dr. Calliope/Callie Torres arrives a few seasons into the show, dancing in her underwear. This competitive orthopedic surgeon is not afraid to show her flaws. Throughout the duration of her time on the show, she struggles with her sexuality, motherhood, and the potential loss of her license, but through all these things she comes out on top. Callie is tougher than the bones she fixes.
4 Addison Montgomery
Arriving from New York to salvage what’s left of her marriage with Derek, Addison is a leading OBGYN. Addison shows compassion towards not only her patients but even to those around her, even managing to put Karev in his place by forcing him to be a part of the “gynie squad.” When Addison finally realizes her relationship with Derek is unsalvageable, she heads to California where she decides to pick up a private practice with an old friend. This leads to Addison’s very own spin-off Private Practice, which ran for a solid four seasons.
3 Ellis Grey
Ellis Grey, Meredith’s mother, was one of the leading surgeons at Grey Sloan Memorial back when it was known as Seattle Grace. Earning two Harper Avery awards, later referred to as the Catherine Fox awards, she is considered a titan of surgery. That said, Meredith has made it clear that Ellis sacrificed the happiness and well-being of her daughter for her career which was cut short when she developed Early-onset Alzheimer’s. While the last years of her life were spent suffering from her illness, she is a legend who is remembered and known by everyone on the surgical staff.
2 Cristina Yang
From the beginning, Cristina Yang was ruthless and cutthroat. While these qualities made her a cold person, they made her a phenomenal surgeon and eventually gained her the role as the Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial. While she has her moments when she shows her emotions, like her engagement to Burke and her marriage with Owen, everyone agrees that she was born to be a surgeon and nothing else. As Meredith’s “person,” she is often forced to tell Meredith what she doesn’t want to hear, but that’s part of what makes her an amazing friend to those she cares about.
1 Miranda Bailey
Snarky and known for her no-nonsense attitude, Dr. Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson, is one of the most beloved characters on the show. While she is not as cold as other characters on the show, she is a well-rounded surgeon who manages to maintain discipline while still showing a deep level of compassion for her patients and colleagues. Miranda makes it clear that surgery is the priority in her life and manages to keep the rest of the staff in line, which later earns her the title of Chief of Surgery.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
