Debbie Allen Teases Catherine Facing 'Real Challenges' onGrey's Anatomy: 'Couldn't Even Keep a Dry Eye' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Debbie Allen on “Grey’s Anatomy”.Photo:Disney/Ser Baffo

Disney/Ser Baffo

Debbie Allenknows it will be anything but smooth sailing for her character Catherine onGrey’s Anatomy.

On theseason 21 premiereof the hit ABC medical drama, Catherine faced off with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) after letting her go from the hospital along with Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) for their involvement in the secret Alzheimer’s research.

Later in the episode, Meredith realized Catherine’s cancer was progressing and she needed further treatment, but Catherine told her to “keep your mouth shut” and not tell her son Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) or husband Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) about her condition.

Debbie Allen attends the 2023 Sentinel Awards at the Writers Guild Theater on December 6, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Allen, 74, told PEOPLE at the Project Angel Food’s 35th Annual Angel Awards Gala in Hollywood on Saturday, Sept. 28 that the obstacles are far from over for Catherine.

“Ms. Catherine’s going to go through some real challenges with her health and understanding of her role in the leadership in that medical world that she lives in,” she teased.

The actress shared that the show is “so dynamic,” adding, “I wish I could tell you, but I’m telling you, week to week to week, we laugh out loud, we cry. We’re going to make the world care, which is whatGrey’s Anatomyhas always been.”

“We are following the footprint that [creator]Shonda Rhimeshas left us,” she continued. “And we have an incredible showrunner now, Meg Marinis…She is amazing. So collaborative, but also can see where we’re going to go, and we’re all there.”

Disney/Eric McCandless

As for what fans can expect from the rest of the season, Allen teases there is an emotional rollercoaster ahead.

“This season I’m just telling you, this episode, I just directed one. I directed four, I read seven, and I just couldn’t even keep a dry eye,” she shared.

“Project Angel Food is one of the most important nonprofits on this planet because it recognizes and it works hard every day to serve those who need, to share from those who have to those who have not,” she explained. “And people should not go hungry on this planet and certainly not here in the United States.”

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Grey’s Anatomyairs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com