Until the Wheels Fall Off: Debbie Allen Reveals Her Heartfelt Promise to Shonda Rhimes Over the Future of Grey’s Anatomy

 

Allen is known for her beloved role of Dr. Catherine Fox on the medical drama

Grey’s Anatomy is always top of mind for Debbie Allen.

At the opening night of Broadway’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, which Allen, 76, directs, she opened up to about her multi-faceted career. As an actress, singer, director, producer, dancer and choreographer, she explains that doing it all “keeps me youthful.”

“It keeps me on my toes. It keeps me curious. And it keeps me ever the student of life,” she says.

When it comes to this play, which stars Taraji P. Henson as Bertha Holly and Cedric “the Entertainer” as Seth Holly, Allen says the cast’s close bond is what truly brought it to life.

“We had the best rehearsal period in the world. It was closed. No one was allowed — no one,” she shares, noting that the writer’s wife Constanza Wilson was the only outsider who stopped by. “We had a safe space where we got to know each other. We got to stand up, fall down, laugh, cry, make mistakes, get it right, get it wrong, get it wrong. Wrong, now right, right, right. It was the best. I love theater.”

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“In film, we get maybe 10 minutes to do what we do in four weeks, so it’s been a pleasure for me,” Allen continues. “And I promised Shonda Rhimes I will bring all my sharpest skills back to Grey’s Anatomy.”

Rhimes, 56, who created the hit medical drama, in which Allen plays Dr. Catherine Fox, was also present at the opening night of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone to show her support.

“I’m just excited to be here to see the show and to see Debbie’s work and to see this incredible cast,” Rhimes tells

Allen has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy since 2011 and has since expanded her role as an executive producer and director of several episodes. In 2024, the Emmy winner reflected on the success of the series in an interview with PEOPLE.

“Grey’s Anatomy is the little engine that could,” she said. “It is just going up and up and up. We don’t know where the top of the hill is because we just keep climbing. 20 seasons. That’s extraordinary. It’s really wonderful.”

“It’s really like family. They let me come and go from home a little bit. But it’s a great opportunity and it’s a great place to live,” Allen added. “And so many people learn about their health from Grey’s too.”

In November, Allen, along with Tom Cruise, Dolly Parton and production designer Wynn Thomas, received an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards for her “lasting impact” on the entertainment industry.

“Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres,” Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement at the time.