Katherine Heigl And Jeffrey Dean Morgan Spill On 'Grey’s Anatomy' Sex Scenes
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on March 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT
Nearly two decades after it aired, Katherine Heigl and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are getting candid about one of the most controversial and bewildering storylines on "Grey’s Anatomy": the “Ghost Denny” arc.
According to Katherine Heigl and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, filming those scenes was just as confusing as watching them.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan Admits ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Ghost Romance 'Wasn’t Working'
“It’s funny because I don’t remember much of that season because it just… I don’t know that anybody thought that was working when we were doing it,” Morgan admitted in a new joint interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The storyline, which dominated Season 5, centered around Heigl’s character, Dr. Izzie Stevens, hallucinating romantic and intimate encounters with her late fiancé, Denny Duquette (played by Morgan).
While Izzie was unknowingly battling a brain tumor, she began seeing Denny in increasingly vivid moments, including in scenes that had her fellow characters acting as if he wasn’t there.
'Grey’s Anatomy' Stars Reflect On Bizarre Ghost Denny Storyline
Heigl acknowledged the storyline’s appeal to a certain portion of the fanbase but didn't shy away from calling it what it was. “I imagine that it was to give the fans a bit of this wish fulfillment, but yeah, it was awkward, not the scenes, but the concept,” she said.
Morgan echoed the surreal nature of the experience. “She could never acknowledge me,” he explained of how his ghostly character interacted with Izzie. “And I remember I was yelling at her while everybody else was giving her doctor information. And it was throwing everybody off.”
One moment, in particular, stands out for Heigl, and not in a good way.
“There’s one particular scene that I will not watch with my children ever. I don’t care how old they are. I don’t care if they’re 60, I’m not watching this with them,” she said. “And it was a scene where you’re in the room, but I’m trying to be like, ‘You are not here, you’re not here.’ And Alex [Justin Chambers] and Izzie start messing around and he goes down on her. And you’re just standing there. And I was just sort of at the time like, ‘This is what the money’s for, right?’”
Morgan And Heigl Reflect On Controversial Denny Return
Despite the bizarre direction of the storyline, Morgan admitted he was happy to return to the show following Denny’s tragic death at the end of Season 2.
“But it was great to be back, I’ll say that,” he said. “The work is always great. It’s like Katie said, I don’t know that the story stuck. It was a hard one for the viewers because it was so kind of out of the realm of 'Grey’s Anatomy.' And I think by the time we… It started airing while we were still shooting the story, and we knew that the audience reaction wasn’t that excited about, ‘What? She’s seeing a dead guy? What the f-ck is going on?’”
Heigl understood the fan confusion but also admitted that a part of her embraced it emotionally.
“For me, I loved Izzie and I wanted her to get to have that with Denny. And so there was part of me that loved it and wanted to do it, and wanted to see her have that, even if it was just a fantasy,” she said. “But yeah, because there was this supernatural aspect of it, like you’re saying, it wasn’t necessarily in the realm of 'Grey’s Anatomy.'”
The Incredible Success Of 'Grey’s Anatomy'
When "Grey’s Anatomy" premiered on ABC on March 27, 2005, no one could have predicted that it would become one of the most iconic and longest-running shows in television history.
Created by Shonda Rhimes, the medical drama quickly rose to prominence, not only for its gripping storylines but also for its impact on pop culture, representation in media, and network television itself.
With more than 20 seasons under its belt, "Grey’s Anatomy" holds the title of the longest-running primetime medical drama ever. It surpassed the legendary "ER" and continues to air new episodes, maintaining a loyal fanbase even as television trends evolve. The show's ability to stay relevant and emotionally resonant year after year is a feat few others have accomplished.
A Pop Culture Powerhouse
From its earliest seasons, "Grey’s Anatomy" became a cultural touchstone.
It introduced the world to now-iconic nicknames like “McDreamy” and “McSteamy” and gave fans unforgettable lines like, “Pick me, choose me, love me.”
In its prime, "Grey’s Anatomy" averaged over 20 million viewers per episode. While overall network TV viewership has declined over the years, the show remains one of ABC’s highest-rated series, especially among the coveted 18–49 demographic.
