Isaiah Washington to make his return to "Grey's Anatomy" seven years after a gay slur ignited controversy on set and forced him to leave the series.
Deadline reports Washington will be reprising his role as Dr. Preston Burke, the man who left Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) at the alter the day of their wedding. Burke calling off the wedding was more than seven years ago.
"Grey's Anatomy" creator and producer Shondra Rhimes explained Washington's character was a vital part in Yang's life for three seasons; Oh's exit from the series means its time to tie up any loose ends with old characters.
"It's important to me that Cristina's journey unfolds exactly as it should. 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," Grey's creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes said in a statement.
Washington's acting career took a hit in 2006 after reports surfaced he called T.R. Knight, his openly gay costar at the time, a homophobic slur. The tension increased when he used the slur again during a Golden Globe interview, where he denied calling the actor the slur.
Rhimes spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Washington's departure last October. The "Grey's Anatomy" creator explained she had a "difficult time" continuing the show after the controversy.
"It was hard for me to write the show. Seasons four and five were difficult because I was in a dark place after the press frenzy that descended on us because of the [Washington and Knight situation and critical backlash to the stories]," Rhimes said.
"In the beginning, it felt like such a magical place, and to discover that everyone isn't who you thought they were is very unfortunate," she added. "Some awesome things did come out of it though. I found the Callie [Sara Ramirez] and Erica [Brooke Smith] relationship and Owen [Kevin McKidd, Oh's most recent love interest] in there. There were things that were amazing because they pull you through. A lot of us joke that we have PTSD from that period of time -- and we do."
ABC has not confirmed when Washington's guest spot on the show will air.
