Grey’s Jerrika Hinton Reflects On Stephanie’s ‘Burnout’ and Her ‘Delicate, Nuanced Hero’s Journey’
Charlie Mason
Editor
Warning: The following may contain too high a dose of spoilers for readers who’ve yet to watch Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy finale. Before proceeding, consult an M.D. or your DVR.
Grey’s Anatomy viewers might have been shocked — and relieved — when the Season 13 finale revealed that Stephanie hadn’t been killed by the preceding episode’s climactic explosion. But “I knew” there was still more to come, Jerrika Hinton tells TVLine. “My exit has been something that [series creator] Shonda [Rhimes] and I have talked about for almost a year now, so there were no surprises.” Here, the actress, who’ll next appear in Alan Ball’s forthcoming HBO series, shares her thoughts on her spunky character’s sendoff — and likelihood of returning — and reveals how fired up she got doing some of her own stunts.
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TVLINE | What was your reaction to Stephanie’s last act? I was glad that, if she had to go, at least she got to leave a hero.
I think it’s a delicate, nuanced kind of hero’s journey that [she’s been on this season, one that] you don’t often see in this genre. It’s been about self-actualization and the fact that she is in a line of work that encourages repression and distance, and, at the same time, still asks that you give every single ounce of yourself that you have to give. She was sacrificing herself. She began the season with no space to process her loss [after Kyle’s death] and immediately jumped back into work because it was a reliable thing that she knew. And when work became unreliable, she drifted even further until she was sacrificing her well-being for a place that it can be argued would not have done the same for her. These were conditions that, in hindsight, were figuratively and literally burning her out. She needed to not only see that but make a healthy decision about how to move forward.
TVLINE | And if, in a year or two, she feels differently, she could always come back, right?
I would say, after the way the episode ends, it would be very difficult for Stephanie to practice medicine again in the way that she had become accustomed to. Personally, I’m just glad she gets to leave having made her mark.
TVLINE | Speaking of marks… how bruised up were you after two episodes’ worth of stunts?
[Laughs] I’m still recovering physically from that, and we finished [the finale] probably a month ago!
TVLINE | How much of it did they actually let you do?
There’s a fair amount that’s me. My lovely stunt double did some of the jumping through fire, and there was one specific shot that they absolutely would not allow me to do — where a piece of the ceiling comes crashing down in front of Stephanie and Erin. They were adamant about that. I haven’t seen the episode yet, but I would say that I’m probably going to be confused as to which shots are me and which are [my stunt double].
TVLINE | Looking back over your five seasons on Grey’s, what was your favorite storyline?
I would say this one. It touches on things that are dear to my heart, and I think it’s always valuable to see someone that the audience may hold in high regard evaluating their priorities and just taking stock of how they want to move through the world, how to live the life that best serves them. It’s a very Oprah-fied way of looking at the world, but it’s also crucial. And as someone who is a huge advocate of therapy and mental health, I think there are elements in the story that are universal.
TVLINE | Anything that you didn’t get to do storywise that you wish you had? I was sorry they never hooked up Stephanie and DeLuca.
[Laughs] You weren’t the only one! I saw that on Twitter quite a bit! To be honest, I haven’t even gone there. My time on Grey’s Anatomy… it’s been so many things, and it has opened up so many other things to me, that, at the end of this time, I can’t even look back on it and go, “But you know, if only this one thing!” I’m not trying to be pie-in-the-sky Pollyanna. I am genuinely incapable of looking back on my time that way and thinking with “If only… ” reservations.
What did you think of Stephanie’s sendoff? Hit the comments.
Long time fan, but I’m finally done. I’ve been hoping for a Jackson/April reunion for too long. This season gave me a glimmer of hope with their stand alone episode. Now they are pairing Jackson with his step-sister? Huh? Thank you for all the wonderful seasons, Grey’s. I wish I could have held out til the end.
They’re hardly step-anythings. Her biological dad who didn’t even raise her and whom she only first met in her 30’s got married to his mother when he was also a fully grown adult, and after they had met each other, besides.
THIS!!!! I am so tired of seeing the step sibling thing brought up!!
Ever heard of context?! Go comment on the finale recap! Bloody shippers…
I am well aware of context, thank you. It was her final episode and mine as well.
Excellent work from Jerrika Hinton. I wasn’t worried about her getting a hero’s ending, but a fitting one. I’m so glad they came up with a truly believable, plot consistent reason for her to leave. Nothing felt shoehorned here. My only regret is that it took until the finale to give her a moment this big.
Jerrika should get an Emmy for that performance (and others).
she was great
Farewell to the worst character in Grey’s history to last more than one season. Seeeeeeya!
that has to be a joke
Actually, it’s not. I liked Edwards, and I think Jerrika played her exceptionally well. But many fans hated her. They felt she was whiny and incapable and didn’t belong in the Grey’s framework. A lot of people have felt this way since she was cast.
That makes no sense. She was nowhere near as whiny as characters like Jo, Maggie, Amelia, or Arizona. And she was often touted as the most capable resident – there were multiple storylines where the attendings would argue over her or request her above the other residents. So what you’re saying is people were just making up nonsensical reasons to dislike her?
Oh please. There are a long line of characters that would take that honor way before Stephanie. Starting with Jo…
After 5 years that appear to expand over 7 years, it would have been nice for Stephanie to pass her boards before she left.
Hinton is clearly a very talented actress, but the entire ’09 class was made up of uninteresting and/or insufferable characters and, out of them, Stephanie was the one that lest had storylines. Hinton has been trying to leave Grey’s fora while, booking two pilots in subsequent years and it’s good for her the current one is a go. I just wish they had written Jo off as well.
I fully agree with you on that!!! I can’t stand Jo and her whiny self
I thought I was the only one to hate Jo. I’ve been trying to like her for ages. But I just can’t.
Stephanie was my fave intern/resident from her class. She had a heroic sendoff (great acting!), and I wish Jerrika well.