Ellen Pompeo reveals most ‘uncomfortable’ Grey’s Anatomy scene that left her and T.R. Knight in tears

Ellen Pompeo opens up about an awkward explicit scene on 'Grey's Anatomy' and why it made her and T.R. Knight cry.

Ellen Pompeo has revealed the most “uncomfortable” scene she ever filmed on Grey’s Anatomy—a moment so awkward it left her in tears.

The actress, who played Meredith Grey for nearly 20 years, opened up on the Call Her Daddy podcast about her dreaded Season 2 intimate scene with T.R. Knight, who played George O’Malley.

“T.R. and I are such good friends and we had to do a love scene, and we were both crying,” Pompeo admitted. “The scene was so uncomfortable and awkward. He didn’t want to do that, I didn’t want to do it.”

According to Pompeo, the discomfort only worsened when the network intervened. “When we filmed it, it was so bad. And then the network said there was too much thrusting,” she revealed. Despite their reluctance, they were forced to reshoot the scene.

“In your worst nightmare, to have to do it one time—we had to reshoot that s–t,” she added. “I’ve never watched that scene. I don’t know how it was edited, but I’m full-on in tears the whole time.”

Pompeo’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes struggles of filming intimate scenes on television. While Grey’s Anatomy is known for its steamy romances, not every scene is as effortless as it appears on screen.

Beyond revisiting her toughest moments on Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo also reflected on her decision to step back from the show in 2024. “I really couldn’t do Grey’s anymore,” she explained, adding that she felt like “an animal at the zoo” after two decades in the spotlight.

Though she remains involved as a producer and occasional guest star, Pompeo has moved on to new projects, including her upcoming Hulu series Good American Family.