Wikipedia

Preston Burke

Preston Xavier Burke,[2]M.D.,F.A.C.S.,is a fictional character from themedical dramatelevision seriesGrey's Anatomy,which airs onABCin theUnited States.The character was created by series producerShonda Rhimes,and was portrayed by actorIsaiah Washingtonfrom 2005 to 2007. Burke is introduced as anattendingcardiothoracic surgeonat the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, and his romantic relationship withinternCristina Yang(Sandra Oh) becomes one of the central storylines of the show during its first three seasons.

Preston Burke
Grey's Anatomycharacter
The season 3 gallery photo of Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke
First appearance"A Hard Day's Night"(1.01)
March 27, 2005
Last appearance"Didn't We Almost Have It All?"(3.25)
May 17, 2007
(as series regular)
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"(10.22)
May 1, 2014
(as guest star)
Created byShonda Rhimes
Portrayed byIsaiah Washington
In-universe information
Full namePreston Xavier Burke
TitleM.D.F.A.C.S.
OccupationAttendingCardiothoracic Surgeon
Head ofCardiothoracic Surgery(Former)
Director ofCardiothoracic Surgery(Former)
Chief Medical Officer(Former)
FamilyDonald Burke (father)
Jane Burke (mother)
SpouseEdra Burke
SignificantotherCristina Yang(ex-fiancée)
ChildrenMiscarriage (with Cristina)
Simone Burke
Vivianna Burke
ReligionChristian[1]

Burke made his final appearance inSeason 3,leaving Seattle following the aftermath of hisfailed weddingto Cristina. In 2007, Washington was terminated from the show after he used a homophobic slur toward co-starT. R. Knightduring an on-set altercation involving Knight andPatrick Dempsey.On June 7, 2007, ABC announced that Washington would be dropped fromGrey's Anatomyas a result of this incident.

Although Burke is mentioned occasionally in the seasons following his departure, the character makes an official return inSeason 10as part of the storyline concluding Cristina's departure from the series.[3]

Storylines

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Preston Burke is the former chiefcardiothoracic surgeryat Seattle Grace Hospital. He completed his pre-medical studies atTulane University,where he pledgedKappa Alpha Psi,and graduated first in his class fromJohns Hopkins School of Medicine.During his time in college, he metErica Hahn(Brooke Smith), his rival who graduated just behind him, starting a long-standing competitive relationship. Burke once served as the interim Chief of Surgery while Dr.Richard Webber(James Pickens Jr.) recovered from brain surgery. However, Richard had originally promised the position of Chief to Burke but ultimately broughtDerek Shepherd(Patrick Dempsey) to Seattle to create competition, believing Burke was becoming too arrogant.

Burke's most significant personal storyline revolves around his relationship withCristina Yang(Sandra Oh). Although they initially broke off their romance due to fears of damaging their professional reputations, they rekindled their relationship after Cristina suffered a miscarriage. The two began living together, and Burke's structured, meticulous lifestyle clashed with Cristina's more chaotic approach, though they managed to make it work.

Towards the end ofSeason 2,Burke was shot, which impaired the control of his right hand—a major issue for a surgeon. To cope, he secretly relied on Cristina during surgeries, having her take over when his hand became unstable. This arrangement eventually unraveled when Cristina, under pressure fromGeorge O'Malley(T. R. Knight), confessed their secret to the Chief. This caused a rift between Burke and Cristina, though they reconciled after a period of silence, and Burkeproposed to her,which she accepted.

Despite the excitement surrounding their engagement, Burke's injury temporarily jeopardized his career, but after a successful surgery by Derek, he recovered. As the couple prepared for their wedding, they experienced the usual stresses, including meeting each other's families. However, on the day of the wedding, Burke realized that he had been trying to change Cristina into someone she was not. In a moment of clarity, he called off the wedding,leaving Cristina at the altarand subsequently leaving Seattle. Cristina, returning to their apartment, found that Burke had taken only his personal belongings, leaving her heartbroken.

InSeason 4,Hahn replaced Burke as the head of cardiothoracic surgery. Although Hahn respected Burke's skills, she held a disdain for Cristina, largely because of Cristina's previous relationships with Burke and Colin Marlowe (Roger Rees). Later, it is revealed that Burke won the prestigious Harper Avery Award in 2008. Cristina was deeply hurt when Burke did not mention her in his award-winning research, despite her critical role in helping him recover from his injury.

InSeason 10,Burke reappears inZurich,Switzerlandwhere he runs a cardiothoracic research hospital. He invites Cristina to speak about her research, though she is initially angry and shocked to see him. They exchange bitter words, and Cristina admits that their relationship would never have worked because she had wanted to emulate him, not be his partner. Burke reveals his true reason for bringing her to Zürich: he offers her the chance to take over his hospital. He explains that he is moving with his Italian wife, Edra, and their two daughters, Simone and Vivianna, toMilan.Cristina accepts the offer, giving her a new and significant chapter in her career.

Development

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Casting and creation

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"In the abstract, Burke was a more awkward and self-hating guy, a little bit of a weasel, but that was before Isaiah walked into the room. Isaiah played him as someone who intensely loves his job. He brought a sense of honor to what Burke does. And with Isaiah, suddenly there was a sexiness to the role, an intelligence and a wit."

Rhimes on Washington's audition as Burke[4]

The character of Preston Burke was originally envisioned as a Caucasian man, with actorPaul Adelstein,who later starred inGrey's Anatomy'sspin-offPrivate Practice,slated for the role. However, due to scheduling conflicts with a film project, Adelstein had to drop out, prompting the show's producers to rethink the character.[5][6]Isaiah Washington,who was initially considered for the role ofDerek Shepherd(which went toPatrick Dempsey),[5]was then called back byShonda Rhimesto portray Burke. Reflecting on his decision to take the role, Washington commented, "I knew I could never be wrong in my heart about something so good and so genuine. Her writing just seemed very complex, very honest."[7]He also noted that he only agreed to the role if it didn’t involve being the stereotypical "angry" character often seen in medical dramas.[8]

Rhimes praised Washington's commitment to the role, revealing that he meticulously learned all the surgeries before performing them on screen.[9]She remarked, "I think if he stopped at an accident on the street, he'd know exactly what to do. He has pulled shifts at hospitals where he follows the surgeons around for 48 hours." At the start of the series, Burke is one of the threeAfrican Americancharacters, along withMiranda Bailey(Chandra Wilson) andRichard Webber(James Pickens, Jr.).

In the show'sthird season,Washington became embroiled in a highly publicized backstage controversy. In October 2006, reports emerged that he had used a homophobic slur during an argument with co-star Dempsey, directed atT. R. Knight(who portrayed Dr.George O'Malley). Following the incident, Knight publicly came out asgay.[10]Washington initially apologized for his "unfortunate use of words" on set, but the issue resurfaced at the2007 Golden Globeswhen Washington denied using the slur, even as other cast members corroborated the incident.[11]Despite undergoing executive counseling and publicly apologizing again, Washington was let go fromGrey's Anatomyin June 2007.[12]Following his dismissal, Washington expressed his anger and disappointment, accusing Knight of using the situation to advance his career and increase his salary.[13]He also claimed thatracismwithin the media played a role in his firing, which he discussed in interviews, including an appearance onCNN's talk showLarry King Live,where he presented his side of the controversy.[14][15]

Washington’s portrayal of Burke was highly regarded, and after his departure from the show, Burke remained a key figure in the series through his past relationship withCristina Yang(Sandra Oh). In March 2014, Rhimes announced that Washington would return toGrey's Anatomyfor a special episode inSeason 10to help conclude Cristina's storyline. Rhimes emphasized the importance of Burke in Cristina’s journey, stating, "It’s important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey -- he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang."[16]

Characterization

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Washington described his character Burke’s evolution onGrey’s Anatomyas one of personal growth. He said, "He did start out sort of stone-faced, but he's evolved into someone we see as an effective leader and someone who learns how to love and be loved." Washington credited Burke's relationship withCristina Yang(Sandra Oh) for allowing his character to show vulnerability, stating that thanks to Yang, "Burke has been able to show levels of vulnerability."[17]

In an interview withOprah Winfrey,Grey's AnatomycreatorShonda Rhimesdescribed Burke as a "mama's boy",[9]which became apparent to audiences when Burke's parents made an appearance on the show. This added a surprising layer to Burke’s otherwise serious and composed demeanor. Washington also highlighted Burke's "determination" and "commitment" as key traits of the character, showing his professionalism and dedication to both his career and his personal relationships.

Rhimes referred to the relationship between Burke and Yang using theportmanteau"Burktina," noting that the episode "Losing My Religion"was one of her favorites featuring the couple. She appreciated how the episode showcased their evolution from the beginning of thesecond seasonto its conclusion, reflecting on the complexity and depth of their relationship.[18]

Ann Oldenburg ofUSA Todaypraised Burke and Yang’s relationship, calling it "one of the spiciest relationships on TV right now". She pointed out their contrasting personalities: Burke is "tidy" and "spiritual," while Yang is "messy" and less inclined toward spirituality.[19]

Reception

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Isaiah Washington received multiple award nominations and accolades for his portrayal of Preston Burke. In 2006, he was part of theGrey's Anatomyensemble that won theSatellite Award for Best Ensemble in a Television Series.[20]Additionally, he was also part of the ensemble cast nominated for theScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Seriesfrom2006to2008,with a victory in2007.[21][22][23]He also won theNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Seriestwice, in2006and2007.

Burke's relationship withCristina Yang(Sandra Oh) was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It was regarded as "one of the most interesting relationships on the show", withThe Orange County Registercalling it "one of the most touching and funny attractions ofGrey's Anatomy."[17]Despite the positive reception of his character’s romance, Oscar Dahl ofBuddyTVlisted Burke as the "fifth most worthless TV character".[24]

References

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Specific

  1. ^Episode 12 of Season 2 "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"
  2. ^Episode 26 of Season 2 "Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response"
  3. ^"'Grey's Anatomy' season 10, episode 22 preview: Burke is back ".27 April 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-05-01.Retrieved2014-05-01.
  4. ^Rhodes, Joe (July 15, 2005)."Today's News: Our Take – Vet Earns M.D. on Grey's Anatomy".TV Guide.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  5. ^abFogel, Matthew (8 May 2005)."'Grey's Anatomy' Goes Colorblind ".New York Times.RetrievedMay 8,2009.
  6. ^Cohn, Paulette (July 16, 2012)."Paul Adelstein's 'Grey's Anatomy' Disappointment".American Profile.Archivedfrom the original on August 19, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  7. ^Albiniak, Paige (May 29, 2005)."Why 'Grey' Seems So Bright".Broadcasting & Cable.RetrievedSeptember 4,2012.
  8. ^Fonseca, Nicholas (September 16, 2005)."Playing Doctors".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 13,2013.
  9. ^ab"Oprah Winfrey talks to Shonda Rhimes".Archivedfrom the original on 2012-11-27.
  10. ^"EXCLUSIVE: Isaiah Washington Apologizes".People. October 25, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2015.
  11. ^ The Associated Press (January 17, 2007)."Isaiah Washington:" I Love Gay "".Access Hollywood. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-01-20.Retrieved2007-01-17.
  12. ^"ABC drops Washington from Grey's Anatomy".Cbc.ca.June 8, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2007.Retrieved2007-06-08.
  13. ^Grey's star says they fired the wrong guyArchived2011-08-08 at theWayback Machine,Houston Chronicle,June 21, 2007
  14. ^"Racism was a factor"Archived2012-11-05 at theWayback Machine,Washington Post,June 28, 2007
  15. ^For the transcript, see"Archived copy".Archivedfrom the original on 2012-10-19.Retrieved2012-09-29.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^Goldberg, Lesley (March 7, 2014)."Isaiah Washington Returning to 'Grey's Anatomy'".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2014.RetrievedMarch 6,2014.
  17. ^abDuffy, Mike (April 2, 2006 – September 10, 2012)."TV: No tokens on this work force".The Orange County Register.Freedom Communications.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 10,2012.
  18. ^Rhimes, Shonda (May 17, 2006)."From Shonda Rhimes (FINALLY)..."Grey Matter.American Broadcasting Company.Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  19. ^oldenburg, Ann (December 20, 2005)."Love is no longer color-coded on TV".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  20. ^"Winner Announcement"(PDF).pressacademy.International Press Academy.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 10, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 22,2012.
  21. ^"The 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.Retrieved2024-09-09.
  22. ^"The 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.Retrieved2024-09-09.
  23. ^"The 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".2013-05-25. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-05-25.Retrieved2024-09-09.
  24. ^Dahl, Oscar (January 15, 2007)."Top Ten Most Worthless TV Characters: #5 Preston Burke".BuddyTV.Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.

General

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