Actress Sandra Oh is enjoying the success of her latest work The Sympathizer, a HBO TV series. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel, The Sympathizer, which is headlined by Robert Downey Jr in multiple roles, is a satirical story set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Sandra Oh, who played Dr Cristina Yang in the Emmy-winning series Grey’s Anatomy, recently talked about how the medical drama changed her career trajectory. “I would not be here if it weren’t for [Cristina], but she also just didn’t happen. I made her,” she said an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Sandra Oh played Dr Cristina Yang on the ABC Medical drama from 2005 to 2014. That was her most significant role which made her popular across the globe. She won her first Golden Globe for the role and received five Emmy nominations in all. She became the first actress of Asian descent to be nominated for the Emmy Award in the “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” category.
When she moved away from Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra wanted to pick something different and The Sympathizer’s role of Sofia Mori fits the bill. She understands the kind of influence the role of Dr. Cristina Yang has had on the public. Sandra Oh said, “When there is a 15-year-old girl who then comes to me and is like, ‘I’m in medical school because of Cristina,’ I love it. I never, ever forget how important Cristina is. I never do because those 15-year-old girls find me, and now 10 years on, I have much more appreciation for their appreciation.”
After her stint in Grey’s Anatomy was over, the Canadian-American actor landed major roles in shows like Killing Eve and The Chair. She got lead roles in films like Catfight and Umma.
Back in 2022, when Sandra Oh appeared on Variety magazine’s “Actors on Actors” conversation, she talked about the hectic schedule on Grey’s Anatomy and how it took a toll on her health. “I think my whole body was very, very sick. Even though you keep on working, but it’s just like, ‘Oh, I can’t sleep. Oh, my back hurts, I don’t know what’s wrong with my skin.” she said. Over time, she found the balance and learned that she needs to take care of her health first. “…But that’s not only your body. That is your soul. That is definitely your mind.”
Sandra Oh has clarified quite a few times that she has no intention of reprising her role in Grey’s Anatomy. Those speculations gained some momentum when actor Kevin McKidd, who played the role of Cristina’s ex-husband on Grey’s Anatomy, told People that it “would be really great television” if he and Oh’s characters made a comeback.
“I was just talking about it the other night, I was like, ‘I feel like we should try and get Cristina to come back,’” he said.
We have no clue if that’s ever going to happen, for now you can catch Sandra Oh in The Sympathizer on HBO.
