Maggie Pierce - wikipedia Maggie Pierce For other people named Maggie Pierce, see Maggie Pierce ( disambiguation ). Maggie Pierce Grey 's Anatomy character The season thirteen promotional photograph of Kelly McCreary as Dr. Maggie Pierce First appearance `` Everything I Try to Do, Nothing Seems to Turn Out Right '' 10x23, May 8, 2014 ( as recurring cast ) `` All I Could Do Was Cry '' 11x11, February 12, 2015 ( as main cast ) Created by Shonda Rhimes Portrayed by Kelly McCreary Information Nickname ( s ) Maggie Sherlock The Perfect 12 year old Mags The Good Sister The Crazy Sister The Child - Prodigy Little Maggot Pierce Species Human Gender Female Occupation Attending cardiothoracic surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital Title Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery M.D. F.A.C.S. Family Diane Pierce ( adoptive mother ) ( deceased ) Bill Pierce ( adoptive father ) Ellis Grey ( biological mother, deceased ) Richard Webber ( biological father ) Meredith Grey ( biological half - sister ) Catherine Avery ( stepmother ) Jackson Avery ( stepbrother ) Significant other ( s ) Dean ( ex-fiance ) Ethan Boyd ( ex-boyfriend ) Andrew DeLuca ( ex-boyfriend ) Relatives Derek Shepherd ( brother in - law, deceased ) Zola Grey Shepherd ( half - niece ) Bailey Shepherd ( half - nephew ) Ellis Shepherd ( half - niece ) Nationality American Margaret `` Maggie '' Pierce, M.D. is a fictional character from the American television medical drama Grey 's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company ( ABC ) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actress Kelly McCreary from the tenth season 's penultimate episode onwards. It is revealed in the `` season ten finale '', Maggie 's biological parents are Richard Webber ( James Pickens Jr. ) and Ellis Grey ( Kate Burton ), making her Meredith 's half - sister. McCreary was upgraded to a series regular in the eleventh episode of the eleventh season. Pierce has been described as `` perky '' and `` chatty '', as well as focusing mostly on her academic career rather than social life, causing her to be socially inept at times and childlike. She graduated from high school and medical school early, and becomes the head of her department at the young age of 31 years old. McCreary was well received upon her introduction. Contents 1 Storylines 2 Development 2.1 Casting and creation 2.2 Characterization 2.3 Introduction 3 Reception 4 References 5 External links Storylines This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( February 2017 ) Maggie is first introduced in the penultimate episode of the tenth season. Cristina Yang ( Sandra Oh ) interviews various different candidates to replace her as the head of her department in Cardiothoracic surgery. Maggie, having finished high school and medical school early, becomes head of her department at 31 years old. It is revealed in the season 10 finale `` Fear ( of the Unknown ) '', Maggie 's biological mother was Ellis Grey. Richard Webber is shocked by this, knowing he is her biological father. Throughout the eleventh season, Webber struggles to deal with the revelation and keeps it from Maggie. Maggie explains that 2 years prior, she looked for her birth mom and needed to go to the court for the records. She found out that she was dead, but got her name, and discovered that she was an amazing surgeon that worked at the Seattle Grace Hospital. She stated that that 's not why she took the job, but it 's `` a little bit '' why she took the interview. When Maggie identifies Meredith Grey, her half - sister, she attempts to bond with her. However, Meredith attempts to take charge and conflicts with her on a case. After several arguments, Maggie tells Meredith that she is her half - sister. Meredith, in disbelief, points out that she would know that her mother would be pregnant when she was five years old, as Maggie is five years younger than her. Meredith works with Alex Karev ( Justin Chambers ) to decide whether Maggie is lying or if she is wrong. They discover she is correct. Meredith gets flashes back to the time of her mother 's crisis at five years old, and remembers being at a hospital and hearing a screaming baby. After several weeks, Webber admits to Maggie that he is her father. Maggie is angry at him. Later, when he comes to apologize for not being there as a father, Maggie corrects him and says he is not her father, as she has adoptive parents she loves, and that she is only angry because of his dishonesty and making her look foolish and naive for weeks. Derek and Meredith decide to have Maggie come over to their house for dinner, to get to know Maggie better. After Maggie says yes, Derek decides it is a good idea to ask Richard as well. Richard reluctantly agrees. The night of the dinner, Maggie and Richard show up, but no - one answers. Maggie leaves him after that. Maggie develops a relationship with radiologist, Ethan Boyd. She admits her awkwardness in relationships, having ended her previous engagement to Dean, who she was unable to sleep in the same bed with. Meredith ends up in a bind with no one to watch her kids, so Maggie offers to watch them. Richard and Maggie eventually come to good terms, and Maggie 's helping with Meredith 's kids help her integrate into her family home more. Maggie learns about the histories of Meredith, Alex and Callie Torres ( Sara Ramirez ) as they commemorate their dead friend, George O'Malley ( TR Knight ). After Derek 's death, Meredith abandons Seattle for a year, leaving Maggie a note. Maggie is shocked by this, and admits she felt abandoned by Meredith right when they were starting to become a family. She invites Webber to a Christmas party, noticing his loneliness. Meredith eventually returns home, hugging Maggie and re-integrating into her old family home. While Maggie and her colleagues are busy dealing with Keith Gardner after a tunnel collapse, Maggie gets a phone call that her parents are getting a divorce. Her mother confesses to her that she 'd been having an affair with their car serviceman for eleven years and they had only stayed together for her sake, but were getting a divorce now that she was out on her own. Maggie is emotional about this, but she does n't want to bother her colleagues about it. Later, she confides in Meredith over the issue, but feels it is silly in comparison to her husband 's death. Meredith, however, says she can tell her anything and she should come to her whenever she is having a problem. After Meredith buys her house back from Alex, she invites Maggie and Amelia Shepherd ( Caterina Scorsone ) to move in with her. They assist Meredith in caring for her kids. Maggie also often mediates between Meredith and Amelia, who frequently get into fights over little things. She often helps with Meredith 's three kids, with each `` sister '' in charge of getting one kid ready for the day. In the twelfth season, Maggie develops a relationship with intern Andrew DeLuca. Maggie sleeps with DeLuca after a short conversation and a couple of drinks at Joe 's. They agree it is a one - time thing, before they have sex again. Maggie and DeLuca keep their relationship private to avoid difficulties at work. DeLuca grows frustrated with their secrecy, so Maggie abruptly decides to go public. When this happens, DeLuca becomes uncomfortable with the way he is viewed by others because he is dating an attending, and does n't want others to think he is getting special treatment. He also feels intimidated by her authority. When she confronts him, he ends things with her. Maggie attempts to move on and develops an interest in Nathan Riggs ( Martin Henderson ). However, she is unaware Meredith has a sexual relationship with him. She confides in Meredith about this at Amelia 's wedding to Owen Hunt ( Kevin McKidd ). In the thirteenth season, Maggie is personally hurt by Meredith lying to her about Alex 's actions assaulting DeLuca. She tells her to never lie to her again, but she does so immediately afterwards about Riggs. Riggs tells Meredith she needs to tell Maggie. Maggie works up the courage to ask Riggs out, but he rejects her. Development Casting and creation McCreary on the role When I auditioned, all they told me was that the character might recur a little bit into Season 11 ; they did not tell me it was Meredith 's sister and there was long - term potential. I had no idea the scope of it in terms of how ( she ) fit into the mythology of the series. Her character ties into a lot of things that have already occurred in these people 's lives. `` '' Benjamin Lindsay, Backstage 2015 On April 5, 2014, TVLine reported that Kelly McCreary best known for her series regular role on The CW 's short lived medical drama Emily Owens, M.D. and recent guest appearances on Scandal had been cast in a guest star role. McCeary was slated to debut on the May 8, 2015 episode. On October 23, 2014, it was announced that McCreary was promoted to series regular after being credited as guest - starring until the eleventh episode. It was a couple of months after McCreary wrapped her stint on Scandal that she was invited to audition for Grey 's. McCeary revealed that she originally auditioned for the character of `` Claudette '' with dummy sides, unbeknownst to her. The only information McCeary had about the character was `` that she was adopted, that she would recur, and she was going to be a very important storyline. '' Just before the script reading for the season 10 finale, Rhimes summoned McCeary to inform her of Maggie 's true identity. `` I was really psyched '' McCeary revealed when Rhimes informed her of Maggie 's lineage. `` I felt really honored to be the one to accept the challenge. '' However, it was n't until McCeary experienced the reactions to Maggie 's existence from her fellow cast mates that McCeary realized just how big of a deal the character would be. The character 's potential existence was first referenced in the press in February 2009 when Michael Ausiello hinted at the possibility of Meredith having a half - sibling, the product of her mother 's affair with Richard. Initial speculation pointed to Jesse Williams ' Jackson Avery as the child, but the actor refuted those rumors. Shonda Rhimes revealed that the character had always been a part of the original story plans, but the character 's existence was not set in stone until season 4. Characterization Kelly McCeary expressed her excitement about how special Maggie in an interview with BuddyTV. `` I just feel like it 's a rare opportunity to be able to play somebody that is so complex and fully realized and smart and fierce and compassionate and awkward and the whole thing. '' Maggie is very good at her job so she can find a place in a professional capacity, but in her personal life, she `` gets more than she bargained for '' McCreary said. `` I think she 's a really good doctor '' McCeary said of Maggie. `` She 's obviously super-bright. She 's very young to be as high in her field as she is. '' McCeary further described Maggie as a `` really great problem - solver. '' Maggie is `` very compassionate '' and at the same time can `` keep a clear head and do the right thing medically all the time. '' McCeary further described Maggie as `` so dynamic. '' While Maggie initially `` came across as all business, '' Kelly McCeary relishes in playing `` Maggie 's neurotic, existential, meltdown side. '' `` Maggie also wo n't really back down from a fight ; she 's very decisive. '' Introduction Further information : Puzzle With a Piece Missing and Got to Be Real ( Grey 's Anatomy ) Kate Aurthur noted that until Maggie 's introduction, Grey 's was not `` known for dropping in stories that it planted seasons before -- it 's never been filled with twisty mythology. '' Rhimes insisted that the timing was n't right for Maggie 's introduction in previous seasons. In season 3, the series introduced Meredith 's paternal half - sister Lexie Grey ( Chyler Leigh ) and it was at that time that Maggie became a serious topic of discussion. Though Lexie was killed off in the season 8 finale, `` Flight, '' Rhimes felt it was still too soon for Maggie 's arrival. The scribe even thought the show might end without the character ever being introduced. `` Then we hit this moment in time and I remember walking into the writers ' room and going, ' You guys, it 's time. ' '' When Maggie makes the sudden revelation that she is Ellis ' child to Richard, viewers are left to wonder about her history. The second episode of the season puts Maggie front and center. The episode appropriately titled `` Puzzle With a Piece Missing, '' focuses on Maggie 's struggle to fit in throughout her life, even with her own adoptive parents whom she is very different from. Though she is very close with her parents, and they get along very well, she 's grown up `` still feeling like something 's missing. '' Kelly McCreary said `` That 's what 's really compelling to me about Maggie : that sort of dark underbelly of this person who seems to really have it all together. '' Maggie struggles to build relationships with her colleagues. She unknowingly shares confidential information about Alex Karev ( Justin Chambers ) and she gets she also insults the hospital board when she tries to prop up Miranda Bailey ( Chandra Wilson ). Though she 's got the `` best intentions, '' things backfire. Maggie also serves as a `` mentor '' to Jo Wilson ( Camilla Luddington ). As Maggie discovers she has several things in common with Richard, the stage is set for Maggie to learn that Richard is her father. `` I think people will relate to the awkwardness of being the new kid at school '' McCeary said of the episode 's comedic tone. Despite so many different interactions, the episode highlights `` Maggie 's loneliness. '' The Maggie - centric episode also featured Kelly McCreary stepping into the coveted role of narrator for the episode, which was usually reserved for Ellen Pompeo 's Meredith, and on occasion other veteran cast members. `` It was overwhelming and very surprising '' McCeary said of being the center of attention so early into her Grey 's tenure. She continued, `` I felt terrified and also really grateful that they trusted me with the institution about of Grey 's Anatomy for a whole episode. '' McCeary relished in finally learning the character 's history. `` ( It ) was a huge gift to have 65 pages worth of material telling me exactly who she is. It was great ! '' Reception This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( February 2017 ) Critics responded positively to the development of Pierce in her centric episode `` Puzzle With a Piece Missing ''. Fempop gave a largely positive review writing, `` Puzzle With a Piece Missing is a funny and insightful look both into this latest interloper and the established characters of Grey 's. '' praising the new addition, `` Thankfully she 's ( Pierce ) her own person, confident and happy to bring the thunder and put everyone, from interns to the chief of surgery, into their places. '' Entertainment Weekly lauded the episode stating, `` Coming into the second week without Cristina Yang, Grey 's was smart to focus all of its attention on the newcomer. With most other main characters only making occasional cameos, it made it more difficult to feel Yang 's absence. And by showing Maggie 's side of the story, it made her more relatable. It was a win - win. '' adding on McCreary 's character, `` this episode is about how Maggie is her own, very likable person. '' On her character TV Fanatic wrote, Overall, we got to know Maggie a little better and it 's nice to see that she 's made some friends. It was a fair episode that showed Maggie 's basically a work in progress. Maybe she 'll grow on us eventually. '' For the thirteenth season, Vulture writer, Maggie Fremont spoke positively about the character : `` It 's never easy for a long - running series to introduce a new character, especially when that character is meant to immediately fit in with the rest of the ensemble. But when Maggie Pierce arrived in season ten, that 's exactly what Grey 's Anatomy did. It could 've been easy to dislike her -- she showed up to take over cardio as Cristina Yang was leaving, for chrissakes ! She was yet another one of Meredith 's long - lost sisters. The cards were really stacked against Maggie Pierce. Yet, thanks to the writers and Kelly McCreary 's terrific performance, Maggie was immediately endearing. She is weird and neurotic and cheerful. She is nothing like Cristina, but she fills a void that Meredith needs filled in order to function. Can you really imagine Grey 's without Maggie Pierce ? '' References Jump up ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/greys-anatomy-11-big-developments-735827 Jump up ^ Writer : William Harper ; Director : Tony Phelan ( May 15, 2014 ). `` Fear ( of the Unknown ) ''. Grey 's Anatomy. Season 10. Episode 24. American Broadcasting Company. access - date = requires url = ( help ) ^ Jump up to : Lindsay, Benjamin ( December 8, 2015 ). `` How Kelly McCreary of ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Finds Catharsis in Emotional Scenes ''. Backstage. Backstage, LLC. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Ausiello, Michael ( April 5, 2014 ). `` Exclusive : Ill - Fated Scandal Guest Star Resurrected on Grey 's Anatomy ''. TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 27, 2014. Jump up ^ Raftery, Liz ( October 23, 2014 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy : Kelly McCreary Upped to Series Regular ''. TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 23, 2014. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley ( October 23, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy 's ' Kelly McCreary Upped to Series Regular ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 24, 2014. Jump up ^ `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Promotes Kelly McCreary to Series Regular ''. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014. Jump up ^ `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' promotes Kelly McCreary to series regular ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Greco, Patti ( October 9, 2014 ). `` '' Grey 's Anatomy '' Newbie Kelly McCreary on What 's Next for Meredith and Maggie ``. Cosmopolitan. Hearst. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Aurthur, Kate ( January 29, 2015 ). `` Everything You Need To Know About The Woman Who Plays Meredith Grey 's Sister On `` Grey 's Anatomy '' ``. BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed Inc. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Nelli, Victoria ( October 16, 2014 ). `` Maggie 's Anatomy : Kelly McCreary Dishes on Joining GREY 'S ANATOMY and Previews Tonight 's Flashback Fun ''. The TV Addict. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Goldberg, Lesley ( October 2, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy 's Kelly McCreary : There 's a Lot Maggie Does n't Know ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Ausiello, Michael ( February 25, 2009 ). `` ' Grey 's ' exclusive : Does Mer have another MIA sibling ? ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved December 8, 2013. Jump up ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt ( December 8, 2009 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy 's Jesse Williams Addresses Meredith 's Brother Rumor ''. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Abrams, Natalie ( July 15, 2014 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy 's Shonda Rhimes Teases Half - Sister Twist, Possible New Romance ''. TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 3, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Jacobs, Meredith ( October 1, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Exclusive Interview : Kelly McCreary on ' Clashing ' with Meredith and a ' Shift ' with Richard ''. BuddyTV. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley ( September 25, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Stars Tease Season 11 : New Love, Board Drama and Meddling Meredith ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 3, 2014. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley ( July 16, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy 's ' Shonda Rhimes : Season 11 to Focus on Meredith, Explore Callie and Arizona 's ' Band - Aid ' ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Abrams, Natalie ( September 30, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' sneak peek : Things get even worse between Meredith and Maggie ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Raftery, Liz ( October 1, 2014 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy Newcomer Kelly McCreary : Maggie and Meredith Are Like `` Oil and Water '' ``. TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Bucksbaum, Sydney ( October 2, 2014 ). `` Maggie 's Grey 's Anatomy Secret Wo n't Stay Hidden for Long ! Kelly McCreary Gives the Scoop ''. E !. NBCUniversal. Retrieved September 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley ( October 2, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Postmortem : ' Meredith Will Delve Deep Into the Past ' to Uncover the Truth ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Samson, Janalen ( October 2, 2014 ). `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Recap : Maggie Opens Pandora 's Box ''. BuddyTV. Retrieved September 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Alex Cranz. `` Review : Grey 's Anatomy - ' Puzzle With a Missing Piece ' ''. FemPop Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Grey 's Anatomy recap : ' Puzzle With A Piece Missing ' ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 14, 2015. Jump up ^ Tran, Christina. `` Grey 's Anatomy ''. TV Fanatic. Retrieved August 14, 2015. Jump up ^ Fremont, Maggie. `` Grey 's Anatomy Recap : Oh, Mother ''. Vulture. Retrieved February 10, 2017. External links Grey 's Anatomy portal Fictional characters portal Television portal Maggie Piece at ABC.com Maggie Pierce on IMDb Grey 's Anatomy Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Characters ( cast members ) Meredith Grey Cristina Yang Izzie Stevens Alex Karev George O'Malley Miranda Bailey Richard Webber Derek Shepherd Preston Burke Addison Montgomery Mark Sloan Callie Torres Lexie Grey Erica Hahn Owen Hunt Sadie Harris Arizona Robbins Teddy Altman Jackson Avery April Kepner Amelia Shepherd Stephanie Edwards Maggie Pierce Other Awards and nominations Soundtrack Video game Private Practice A Corazón Abierto ( Mexican telenovela ) A Corazón Abierto ( Colombian telenovela ) Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maggie_Pierce&oldid=799923131 '' Categories : Grey 's Anatomy characters Fictional African - American people Fictional characters from Washington ( state ) Fictional storytellers Fictional characters introduced in 2014 Fictional surgeons Fictional female doctors Hidden categories : Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL Pages using infobox character with unknown parameters Articles needing additional references from February 2017 All articles needing additional references Articles to be expanded from February 2017 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Italiano Edit links This page was last edited on 10 September 2017, at 16 : 48. 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Question: who plays maggie's dad on grey's anatomy
Answer: James Pickens Jr.