In her interview with us, Wilson gave a glimpse into her unique position as an actress-director. She emphasized the importance of guidance to the new cast members. Joining a series that has become a primetime television staple is no easy feat, and they need our support. “Everything has to be about passing it forward … taking the lessons that you learned and passing that forward,” she stated, highlighting her commitment to fostering growth among her colleagues.
Wilson’s introduction to Grey’s Anatomy came in the show’s first season, a period that proved momentous both professionally and personally. Her son, Michael, was born just after the show started airing, making him the first “show-baby.” Over the years, he has been part of a unique legacy. Since Michael’s birth, at least 36 babies have arrived to various cast members of Grey’s Anatomy.
In each of its 20 seasons, the series has been the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history. Since 2019, it’s handily held that title for ABC, illustrating its deep-rooted popularity. Reflecting on this achievement, Wilson remarked, “Even when I think about 450, sometimes it doesn’t seem like that big a number. When you say that it takes 21 years to get there, then that’s when you really realize, ‘Wow, that’s huge.’”
As an executive director of Directors for Code for America, Wilson makes sure that her leadership does not feel isolated in this work. She often takes with her a Western counterpart shadow directors. This not only gets her mentorship, but a closer look into the directing process. “When you’re coming into a show that’s been around as long as we have, I’m sure they feel like, ‘Where do I fit into this picture?’” she explained. Wilson calms nervous newcomers by reminding them how talented they are and why they were cast for the part.
Her dedication to mentoring certainly hasn’t escaped the notice of her colleagues. Alexis Floyd, who plays a prominent role in the series, described Wilson as “the light, the North Star, the shepherd of the family.” This feeling perfectly summarizes Wilson’s nurturing nature behind the camera and in front of it.
Chandra Wilson shared her appreciation for the opportunity to continue portraying Dr. Bailey. She gave a shoutout to Shonda Rhimes for her constant support throughout her career. “My first instinct was to get in touch with Shonda and say, ‘Thank you so much for allowing me to play Dr. Bailey for the first season, and I understand that I’ll have to step away now,’” she recalled.
