Grey's Anatomy

"I kept saying we need a girl like that girl from Moonlight Mile (2002)," said Rhimes, "and after a while, they were like, 'We think we can get that girl from Moonlight Mile." The next to be cast, Sandra Oh (Dr.

Cristina Yang), was initially invited to audition for the character of Bailey, but pressed to read for the role of Cristina instead.

The only character developed with a racial description in mind was Dr.

Each role was cast without the character's race being pre-determined, keeping Rhimes's vision of diversity.

The production staff began casting with the program's title character, Dr.

Meredith Grey, which Rhimes said was a challenging role to cast.