Ellen Pompeo has revealed she had a heated argument with Denzel Washington on the set of Grey’s Anatomy.
Pompeo, who has played Dr Meredith Grey in the medical drama since 2005, locked heads with the Oscar winner when he directed an episode in 2016.
The actor revealed on her podcast, Tell Me With Ellen Pompeo, that Washington did not like her improvisational acting style while shooting an emotional scene.
During Washington’s episode, the season 12 episode “The Sound of Silence”, Pompeo recalled improvising the line: “Look at me when you apologise – look at me!’”
However, Washington immediately stepped in.
“That wasn’t in the dialogue and Denzel went ham on my ass,” she said, adding: “He was like, ‘I’m the director. Don’t you tell him what to do.’”
Pompeo took exception to his comments, stating: ”I was like, ‘Listen, motherf***er, this is my show. This is my set. Who are you telling? You barely even know where the bathroom is.”
Pompeo said that he only “did the show because his wife is a big fan”, adding: “I think he saw it as a good exercise to just come in and direct something quick.”
She then said: “Denzel’s a movie star, right? He doesn’t know s*** about directing TV.”
She attributes the clash to the fact they are both actors, stating: “So, we didn’t get through it without a fight, but that’s actors for you.”
Pompeo also clarified that she has the “utmost respect for [Washington] as an actor and director” and described the experience as “amazing”.
Grey’s Anatomy is currently on its 18th season. Washington is currently one of the favourites to win Best Actor at next year’s Oscars for his role in Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth.
