It’s been 16 years since the first episode of Grey’s Anatomy premiered, and after 18 seasons, the show is still booming. It’s the longest-running American primetime medical drama series and has held the title of ABC’s highest-rated drama several times. The strategy behind maintaining a show as long-running as Grey’s takes a level of skill and creativity that I can’t quite wrap my head around, but as an avid Grey’s watcher, I’m incredibly thankful its creators exist. 

I think all Grey’s fans would agree that we are, to put it simply, obsessed. I’m sure the amount of time we’ve spent watching and re-watching the show is infinite. I began watching the show on Netflix in 2018 when I grew bored of all my other shows. I didn’t know much except that it had been around for years and involved doctors. I hit play on a whim, and it quickly became my all-time favorite show. I instantly became fascinated by the lives of doctors and surgeons and was even motivated to watch documentaries and research actual surgeries. To say the show influenced me would be an understatement. Fast-forward to now and the thought of the many hours I’ve put into watching the show slightly hurts my brain. I’ve fallen in love with the characters, the plot twists, the show’s determination to represent people of all races, genders, and sexual orientations, and everything in between. 

Why does this show generate such loyal, die-hard fans? What’s the appeal? Initially, it was the realization of how little I knew about the world of healthcare. The show is fictional of course, but the medicine they practice is 85% accurate. Real doctors who double as Grey’s Anatomy fans say that the medical terms and cases are typically precise, while the patient outcomes and medical conditions are more dramatized. Either way, it’s incredibly intriguing for someone unfamiliar with that world, especially after learning how realistic it is. I’d bet all of us fans at one point or another have seriously considered entering a field in medicine because of this show. 

Along with the appealing realness of the show, the added subplots involving new patients in each episode are a huge reason for its popularity. They use countless celebrity guest stars throughout the show, adding dimension to the storyline. Some familiar faces include Demi Lovato, Mandy Moore, Millie Bobby Brown, Sarah Paulson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, William Daniels, Bernadette Peters, Hector Elizondo, and many more. The always-changing subplots and use of well-known guest stars leave new fans wanting more and old fans coming back. 

Another reason fans are so drawn to the show is that they represent diversity. Not only is the cast made up of diverse individuals, but the episode plots often cover race and gender issues that don’t get the recognition they should in Hollywood. Their inclusion of real societal issues throughout the show makes it more realistic and engaging for viewers of all backgrounds. Likewise, their use of diverse characters in the show is extensive. Members of LGBTQ+ and other groups are consistently represented in Grey’s, allowing fans to learn about and understand them better.    

The show’s overall storyline is genius. A medical drama focused on five interns’ personal and professional lives and their transition into skilled, award-winning surgeons. The show offers a tear-jerking, emotion-filled, lesson-packed series centered around Meredith Grey – an aspiring surgeon and daughter of world-famous surgeon, Dr. Ellis Grey. Watching this show makes you feel like you’re a part of the family. It makes you feel like you could become a doctor who changes and saves live. The importance of hope and love is a prominent running theme throughout the series and is the biggest reason it strongly influences its fans. It truly touches lives, and I recommend it to everyone I meet.