Ahead of the Emmy Awards on January 15, producers promised nostalgia with several TV cast reunions — but none could prepare "Grey's Anatomy" fans for what's to come .
The five cast members from the show's first day came together for this year's ceremony, which has been postponed due to the 2023 strike. Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. (Meredith, Miranda and Richard, respectively) are still starring on Grey's Anatomy to this day. But for Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers, it's been years .
That's right: Alex and Izzie reunited at the Emmys, 14 years after their last episode together and four years after the two characters suffered one of the most controversial TV endings ever.
The two didn't directly talk about their characters' dramatic endings (more on that later), but they did celebrate two decades of Grey's Anatomy with their cast members.
"It's over 400 episodes and counting," Chambers said. “A tribute to all those who became part of our family.”
"Yes, there have been some changes over the years," Heigl added with a knowing smile. “But the one thing that remains constant is the incredible fan base.”
Although short-lived, the reunion warmed the hearts of X (formerly Twitter) fans. One user said they'd "love to see Izzy and Alex next season" — and hey, they're still alive. As another simply put it, "OMG we win."
Alex and Izzy left a strange note
So, wait, where did these two go? It's hard to forget how weird Alex and Izzy's "happily ever after" was. But just in case you need a refresher, it's all covered in Season 16's "Leave a Light On."
After Alex gave his missing performance in a few episodes, he wrote a letter to his friends (and wife) in Seattle to let them know what was going on: He and Izzy reconnected, and learned She got pregnant with twins from frozen embryos and decided to move to Kansas to raise them with her.
Behind-the-scenes
The hasty nature of Chambers' exit made it seem like he was done with the show for good. "It's not a good time to say goodbye," the actor told Deadline in 2020, explaining that he wanted to "diversify [his] acting roles and career options."
Heigl didn't actually appear in the episode, and she didn't watch it afterward, she told Entertainment Tonight. But she did make headlines for the show, such as when she said in 2008 that she "didn't feel like [she] got Emmy-nominated material...".
So seeing Alex and Izzy (er, Chambers and Heigl) together was a delightful curveball that no one saw coming.
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