Grey’s Anatomy has officially returned for its 21st season, and it will see the return of old faces and the loss of a regular . The latest premiere of the longest-running US medical drama was dedicated to Stephanie Leifer and, while casual fans of the long-running medical drama might not be aware of who she is, the tribute was a moving moment as Leifer was an instrumental figure in the show’s enduring success. Leifer died of cancer in June, aged 56.
She was a programming executive who oversaw Grey’s Anatomy while working at ABC – the US network on which the show airs – as well as ABC Signature, the company that produces it. She worked at ABC for 28 years up until her departure in 2022. Grey’s Anatomy ’s showrunner and executive producer Meg Marinis was asked about the dedication in an interview discussing the episode.
Marinis, who started out on Grey’s Anatomy as a PA, worked with Leifer for over 15 years, and she branded her former employee “incredible”. Speaking to Deadline , Marinis said: “Stephanie Leifer was an incredible person and devoted champion of Grey’s . “She truly believed in us from the early years all the way through and supported our creative vision.
“I started my career as a PA, delivering Grey’s scripts to her office, and I remember her door always being open. She was so encouraging to writers and attended several Grey’s milestone events. It was a heartbreaking loss for this family.
” In 2019, Grey’s Anatomy changed US tele.