As a longtime viewer of Grey’s Anatomy, I have always admired the complex and multifaceted characters that the show presents. However, none has ever left such a profound impact as Catherine Fox, portrayed by the remarkable Dr. Sarah Drew. Catherine is not just a character; she is a testament to strength, resilience, and the unwavering dedication to one’s beliefs.
[This story contains spoilers from the penultimate seventh episode of Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.]
Across stages, television, and various mediums in between, Debbie Allen showcases her versatile talent. She’s a dancer, vocalist, actress, choreographer, producer, and director, and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has shone brightly for over three decades. With multiple Emmys, Tonys, and a Golden Globe under her belt, she’s also a celebrated award-winner. For more than two decades, she’s been nurturing future talent through her Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Whenever there’s work to tackle, she gets ready and takes it on.
Allen’s versatility makes it hard to predict when, in what setting, or how she will appear. Surprisingly, this time she appeared during the last minutes of episode nine in Peacock’s popular, Black-centric gangster series, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, produced by Will Packer and Kevin Hart. The show features a star-studded cast including Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Her voice spoke, ‘I’ve heard my dear son is traveling south once more,’ as a wardrobe rack slid open, revealing Allen making a surprise appearance as Cadillac Richie (Howard)’s mother. The well-coiffed Cadillac holds his mother in high regard. As one of his associates stepped forward to drape her in a white fur, he swiftly intervened, ‘No, no, nobody touches my mom.’ This moment clarified the series’ mystery about the post-Muhammad Ali fight afterparty – where all the leading Black mafia bosses were compelled to undress to their underwear in an Atlanta basement and had their valuables stolen. Allen expressed, ‘Respect your father’s memory and put that licorice-chewing scoundrel in his place,’ making it clear why Cadillac has a grudge against the ruthless Black New York mob boss Frank Moten, portrayed by Jackson.
The position suits perfectly alongside the documentary “King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones,” which Allen co-produces with his friend Quincy Jones, and is directed by Harriet Marin Jones about her grandfather, Edward Jones. In the 1930s and ’40s, this influential figure in Chicago politics, along with his two brothers, accumulated wealth through an illegal practice that paved the way for the lottery. After a successful run on the festival circuit, culminating in weeklong screenings in Los Angeles and Chicago that qualified it for Oscars, “King of Kings” has been acquired by Byron Allen’s digital film distribution arm, Freestyle Digital Media, and will be available for rental or purchase starting November 19.
Currently, speculation among fans revolves around the possibility that Dr. Catherine Fox’s health issues, as portrayed in the long-running series “Grey’s Anatomy,” might signal the end of the show’s 21st season. If this prediction holds true, it would signify a conclusion to the remarkable journey of the character, played by Sarah Drew, who joined the esteemed ABC drama in 2012 as the acclaimed urologist and founder of the Catherine Fox Foundation, proprietor of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and mother to Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and wife to Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.). Known for her controversial role in the series, Dr. Fox often finds herself at the heart of drama, and this season’s events have been so dramatic that even reasonable viewers might feel inclined to reprimand her.
I’ll provide a rephrased version that maintains the essential information:
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How did your cameo in Fight Night come about?
It turns out that Terrence Howard reached out to me, followed by calls from my agent and production team, all expressing their interest in having me join Will Packer’s upcoming limited series to play Terrence’s character’s gangster mother. Excitedly, I responded with a “Yes, let me take on the role.” Given my tough persona on Grey’s Anatomy over the past year, this opportunity felt like a natural fit for me.
After you played a “gangster mama,” how did you then become involved in King of Kings?
I assisted in completing this task as a result of meeting Harriet Marin [Jones] through Johnny Simmons, a highly esteemed cinematographer and photographer, who happens to be my close friend. At the time, she was just starting on a documentary project and was nearly halfway through it. Upon learning about her endeavor, I felt compelled to offer any resources or abilities I possess to aid in the completion and distribution of her film. Since Quincy was involved and I admire him greatly, having previously collaborated with him in projects such as “In the House” with LL Cool J, and given our shared connection through his role on the board of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, I felt it was my duty to contribute to her project.
Were you surprised to learn that Edward Jones. was also a Howard University alum like you?
As a devoted admirer, I felt elated to discover we shared such a direct bond. Yet, his attainment of a college degree during those times underscores an intriguing paradox. In the era we’re discussing, limited career paths existed for Black men to achieve such financial prosperity. Escaping the relentless pursuit of the Klan, the mob, the government, and even the Nazis, it’s a testament to the tumultuous environment that forms the backdrop of this captivating tale. Therefore, his remarkable success is truly inspiring.
Let’s talk Grey’s Anatomy, and that premiere slap scene! How did they broach the slap to you?
Well, it was my idea. How about that? It was totally my idea. I worked so closely with our showrunner, Meg Marinis. She is fantastic. And we were kind of picking up where we left off last season, where I had fired everybody. I was on one. And, so, she said, “Well, I was thinking of her having this inspiring speech.” I said, “Girl, don’t nobody want to hear inspiration right now. Catherine needs to be slapped. She has acted so badly.” And she hesitated because nobody wants to slap me. I said, “This is a great way for us to start the season, because everybody will be so curious about what’s the fallout of that. How does that happen? What’s next?” It was really fun shooting and Miss Chandra Wilson also did not want to slap me. She was like, “I’m not slapping you, Debbie Allen” … It’s become a really big kind of viral thing now. I guess it’s a meme right now.
Given your resume and popularity, how do you manage to always choose what’s best for the character you portray?
Showing genuine artistic passion is essential to being an actor or dancer, as they are willing to do whatever is necessary for the role. I recall performing in George Faison’s ballet called “Slaves,” where we were asked to portray our ancestors by going bare-breasted on stage. Although it was something I had never done before, I didn’t hesitate because I understood that I was representing our history, our depiction, and our experiences. True actors are not focused on themselves; instead, they consider how they can bring the character to life in its most authentic form. Actors like Gary Oldman, Denzel Washington, Phylicia Rashad, and Viola Davis possess this understanding, as well as many other talented actors who are willing to take risks and do what is required.
In simpler terms, Meg, the person in charge of the production, called Catherine a “sympathetic antagonist” when she spoke with The Hollywood Reporter. So, I’m curious to know if you perceive her as a character who, despite being a villain, also shows signs of vulnerability or emotional weakness?
Indeed, she deeply values the hospital, its history, and the foundation it represents. Her concern extends beyond that, encompassing women’s welfare and scientific advancement. However, she is firm about maintaining integrity in all matters. Despite being a courageous cancer patient, she faces her struggles privately, showing remarkable resilience and strength. This hidden vulnerability evokes empathy, making her a character you can’t help but admire.
How many more seasons does Catherine have?
Well, let’s ask ABC how many more seasons does Grey’s Anatomy have? I’ve become part of the DNA of this incredible series. I’ve been there for 12 years. It’s quite a feat to be on any show for 10 years. And this is the 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy. So Shonda Rhimes has left a footprint that continues to expand and reverberate around the world. Everywhere I go, and I’m not even a series regular, I get stopped. People stop me in airports, airplanes, in the bathroom. They want to take pictures. (Laughs) That’s kind of funny, in the bathroom, they want to take pictures. We’re doing it for the people. So it’s nice when they respond to you. I appreciate that.
Despite reducing her screen time, Ellen Pompeo is once more a frequent presence on camera. During her absence, the show managed to establish the interns as integral characters, thereby maintaining its ensemble. What has allowed Grey’s Anatomy to stay fresh and vibrant for over 20 seasons?
It’s evident from the data that our popularity has never been greater. I strongly feel we’ve made a significant impact on streaming platforms across the globe, with over a billion views. It’s hard to fathom such a vast number. I believe the reason behind this success is that the characters portrayed on Grey’s Anatomy resonate with viewers because they depict real people facing genuine life situations that everyone can relate to. Last year, we integrated COVID-19 into every episode, reflecting how people were living, coping, and supporting each other during those challenging times – a reflection of the world’s experiences. Our ability to mirror current events is part of our strength.
If Ellen decided to end her role as Meredith, could Grey’s Anatomy continue?
Indeed, that’s an intriguing question, but let me clarify that for now, she remains present with us. In other words, she is still actively involved in our project. I regularly interact with her, even when she isn’t physically here on camera. She contributes through voiceovers, which makes her presence felt. This aspect of her life and legacy is ongoing, so I believe we can postpone addressing that question for now, don’t you think? (Chuckles)
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Grey’s Anatomy” airs every Thursday at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu. “King of Kings” will be available digitally starting November 19th. The finale of “Fight Night” is set to release on October 10th on Peacock.
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2024-10-05 17:25