“Station 19” writers’ room incident involving written racial slurs triggers inclusive discussion in the workplace, changes in leadership structure

Exclusive updated: ABC’s first callback drama in April 2021 station 19 aired an episode hailed as one of the most powerful portrayals of George Floyd’s murder on television. It was written by executive producer / showrunner Krista Vernoff, with input from the show’s writers and support staff, as well as the cast.

More than a year later, an incident involving the Page’s portrayal of racism left the writing team dead. Gray’s anatomy winding of the branch. According to sources, this had to do with a writer’s draft of a recent Season 6 episode that included multiple uses of racist slurs by a racist character. I know that a white writer was assigned the script and the word in question was b – – r, a derogatory reference to people of Latin origin.

The draft was met with shock and disbelief when it was shared with the writers’ room, with tensions escalating to the point that the virtual room was suspended, the sources said. Vernoff emailed the staff on Monday, a copy of which was obtained from Deadline, in which he discussed the “recent damage and systemic problems” that will be discussed in Tuesday’s Zoom meeting. He will participate in Jones, an organizational psychology consulting group specializing in promoting diversity and leadership.

“Until then we will not meet or email as a group creatively,” Vernoff wrote in an email on Monday to staff announcing the meeting on Tuesday. “We will not resume business as usual until recent damage and systemic problems are resolved and recovery begins.” If you like a script or an outline, work alone for now. “

The meeting took place on Tuesday and communication between the show’s writers has since resumed, the sources told Deadline. The show’s virtual scriptwriters room did not meet again, although the situation is being assessed and security measures have been put in place. According to sources, there were indeed pre-existing racial problems that the explosive incident exacerbated.

Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland is far behind Gray’s anatomy Y Station 19. The company, which has broken many barriers to on-screen and off-screen performance over the past two decades, quickly intervened after the crash, the sources said.

“As a company, it’s in our DNA to constantly review our product culture and make changes quickly if they don’t align with Shondaland’s values,” the company said in a statement to Deadline. “The latest situation in the writers’ room in St. station 19 It gave us the opportunity to reimagine the leadership structure in the name of creating a more respectful and inclusive work environment. “

ABC and ABC Signature, the studio that produces station 19refused to comment.

It is not clear what the redirect structure of the program would be. Since Vernoff rules so much Gray’s anatomy Y Station 19Your lieutenant number 2 and above Station 19 I’m Keeley Donovan. I understand that potential changes include the inclusion of a new lead writer who is a black person, along with Donovan, who has worked on both. Gray’s anatomy Y station 19 In the past three years, he may have moved on to another Shondaland series.

The fate of the controversial script is also unclear. Obviously the offensive part will not be used; There is talk of demolishing the entire script, but no decision has been made.

Production is in progress. station 19His next sixth season began on July 28th. Its premiere is scheduled for October 6.

station 19Return of series 2 scripted by ABC Gray’s anatomy, Follow a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line. In the cast Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Boris Kodjoe, Gray Damon, Barrett Doss, Jay Hayden, Daniel Savre, Stefania Spampinato and Carlos Miranda.

The series was created by Stacey McKee. Rhimes and Betsy Beers are also executive producers alongside Vernoff. Station 19 Produced by ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios.