# Cristina Yang

Cristina Yang, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which has aired for 20 seasons on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actress Sandra Oh. Cristina was introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, and over the course of the series, she rose to become a cardiothoracic surgical fellow. Her relationships with fellow doctors Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) were central to the show's early seasons.
Cristina became engaged to Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), a cardiothoracic surgeon, but the relationship ended on the day of their wedding. Cristina also had a past romantic relationship with renowned surgeon and mentor Colin Marlowe (Roger Rees), and later married but eventually divorced trauma surgeon Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd).
Oh originally auditioned for the role of Miranda Bailey, but the part ultimately went to Chandra Wilson. Oh's portrayal of Cristina Yang earned her widespread critical acclaim, with Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald highlighting Cristina's friendship with Meredith as "the secret-core of Grey's Anatomy". Oh's performance garnered her numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2006. She also received five consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series from 2005 to 2009. Yang has been seen as a landmark for Asian representation in Hollywood due to the character breaking away from the usual Asian stereotypes and offering a more complex and nuanced portrayal.
Cristina was characterized by ABC as competitive, ambitious, and highly intelligent, with her main flaw being her aggressive and tactless attitude. In May 2012, E! Online reported that Oh had signed on for two more years, alongside her fellow cast members. However, she ultimately left the show after Season 10, with her character being written out of the main storyline. Cristina's departure marked a significant moment in Grey's Anatomy, as she had been one of the central characters from the inception of the series. Her exit, though bittersweet, was written in a way that honored her character's ambition and professional dedication, leaving her to continue her career in Zurich as the head of a prestigious cardiothoracic department.

## Storylines and character

Cristina Yang is introduced as a graduate from Stanford University and a fellow surgical intern to Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight); the five of them working under resident Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). An atheistic competitive intern of Korean-American ancestry, she first desired to become a doctor after a childhood car accident which killed her biological father. Yang also had dyslexia, and was raised in Beverly Hills, California by her mother and supportive Jewish stepfather. She has a B.S. in biochemistry from Smith College, an M.D. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley, making her a "double doctor". While her emotional pragmatism, competitive perfectionism, and logical nature lead many to view her as a cutthroat "robot," Cristina hits it off with Meredith on their first day and the pair soon become best friends and each other's "person," sharing the same "dark and twisty" view of life and sense of humor.
During her internship, Cristina has an on and off relationship with the chief of cardiothoracic surgery Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) that leads to an accidental pregnancy. Yang schedules an abortion without telling him about the pregnancy due to Burke's behavior towards their lack of relationship status. However, Yang experiences an ectopic pregnancy and Burke discovers the pregnancy after Yang collapses from a burst fallopian tube while in the O.R. Burke and Yang resume their relationship in the aftermath of her miscarriage. Burke gets shot after a "shooting" at the hospital and needs surgery. After Burke is shot in the arm and develops a hand tremor, Yang helps him cover it up by forming a covert partnership wherein she performs most of his surgeries. Yang initially denies involvement during a confrontation, but then confesses everything to Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), the chief of surgery. Yang's actions jeopardize Burke's chances of becoming chief, which he views as a huge betrayal. After a short breakup, Yang breaks the silence and Burke proposes marriage, which Yang accepts after eight days of hesitation. When the wedding day comes, Yang has a moment of panic before she is about to walk down the aisle but Burke leaves her because he was not sure if she was ready to commit. Burke then disappears and is not seen again until later in the series. Yang then proceeds to go on her honeymoon to Hawaii with Meredith to recover, returning to discover that Burke has disappeared from her life and transferred to a different hospital.
Burke is replaced by Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), who immediately dislikes Yang for her trend of having affairs with famous surgeons, such as Burke, going so far as refusing to let her scrub in on cardiac surgeries. Eventually, Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) moves in with Yang, and she still tries to earn Hahn's approval. Hahn reveals that she dislikes Yang because she reminds her of an early version of herself and continues to cut Yang out of cardiac surgeries and neglects to teach her, before eventually quitting the hospital and leaving Seattle Grace without a head of cardio (due to a disagreement with Torres). Without a teacher, Yang begins to seriously doubt the purpose of remaining in her place at Seattle Grace when the program falls to twelfth on a list of the best teaching hospitals and Burke wins the Harper Avery award without mentioning her at all, despite her saving his career. Yang tells the Chief that her current existence in the hospital is "unbearable" and that she has turned into a ghost.
Yang meets Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), an army trauma surgeon when he patches her up from being stabbed in the stomach by a falling icicle outside the hospital. The pair are immediately attracted to each other and share a brief kiss. Owen Hunt is later honorably discharged, he is hired as Seattle Grace's chief of trauma surgery and he and Yang begin a flirtation. Yang grows emotionally when she decides to support Meredith in her relationship with Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), despite her logical misgivings about their staying power, and begins to be more emotionally open towards Hunt. However, Hunt has repressed memories of his time in Iraq and PTSD which causes Hunt to behave erratically, and even attack and strangle her while asleep. Yang attempts to be emotionally supportive but ends their relationship as she is afraid of sleeping next to him. Cristina loses her shot at being the first resident to perform a solo surgery despite being unanimously chosen by the attending surgeons, having been disciplined from failing to report the irresponsible behavior of the new interns. Meredith and Cristina have a fight during the intern scandal, and Cristina chooses Alex to be her replacement. They eventually reconcile. When Izzie discovers her life-threatening cancer, Yang is the one she confides in over her other friends due to Yang's ability to remain emotionally distant. Yang saves Izzie's life by coming up with a treatment plan and forcing Izzie to tell their friends of her diagnosis. Hunt begins seeing a therapist, and Yang confesses her love for him. The pair begin a tentative relationship, hampered by Hunt's therapeutic progress and his hot and cold professional behavior, wherein he frequently ignores or penalizes Yang to avoid the appearance of favoritism.
Hunt hires ex-colleague from the Army, Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), to become the chief of cardiothoracic surgery as a "gift" for Yang, after she breaks down over having no new head of cardio. Yang is unimpressed with Altman, neither published nor famous, but her calm proficiency and belief in Yang's skills win her over. A conflict arises in the trio due to Altman and Hunt's repressed feelings for each other. Altman chooses to resign her place as temporary head of cardio because of her feelings for Hunt. Devastated by the blow to her education and the depressing potential of returning to her previous directionless state, Yang begs Altman to stay and teach her, offering Hunt to Altman in exchange. Altman intellectually understands Yang choosing her gift over a man and their relationship is repaired, but Hunt is deeply hurt that Yang traded him away. Hunt subconsciously tries to sabotage Yang's education and the two break up again after Hunt is unable to decide between the two women. After Derek was shot by Gary Clark, a grieving widower who commits mass murder at the hospital, Cristina operates on Derek at gunpoint, thus saving his life. The shooter injures Hunt as well when he chooses to return for Yang over Altman and Grey treats him as Yang saves Grey's husband. Following the attack on the hospital, Yang and Hunt impulsively decide to get married. Yang had severe PTSD and is unable to bear being alone making marriage to Hunt, who understands what she's going through, attractive. Yang spends the early days of her marriage in shock and hiding at Meredith's.
Due to having severe PTSD and being unable to do her job correctly anymore, Cristina quits and begins bartending and eventually throws a housewarming party. Derek helps Cristina emotionally and she ultimately decides to go to work after helping the victim of a school shooting. Yang discovers she is pregnant with Hunt's child and decides to get an abortion. Though Hunt accompanies her to the abortion, he is extremely angry with her decision. Yang then operates on Henry Burton (Scott Foley), Altman's husband, not knowing his identity. When the surgery fails and he dies, Yang is guilt-stricken upon learning of her patient's identity. Altman forgives Yang and forces Yang to realize that she did everything possible. Altman's mentorship of Yang is punishing at times and Altman brutally emphasizes that Yang must learn patience, compassion, and the basics over the flashy surgeries Yang prefers. Altman's tutelage is successful and Yang evolves into an aware and well-rounded surgeon because of it. Altman allows Yang to come up with a wish list of dream surgeries to fulfill before Altman resigns and moves on.
Yang and Hunt distance themselves from each other as they keep fighting over the abortion, despite attending marriage counseling. Hunt has a one-night stand with a patient's friend, leaving Yang heartbroken. She decides to move on, unsure of her future with him. As the end of the fifth year of residency is near, the surgical residents, including Yang, prepare for their medical boards and for the different fellowships they plan on joining. After she passes her exams, Yang reconciles with Hunt and tells him she is leaving Seattle for the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota. Afterward, Yang, Meredith, Derek, Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) and Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) are involved in an aviation accident while on the way to Boise, Idaho to perform surgery on conjoined twins. Lexie dies, and Mark later succumbs to his injuries after they are rescued and dies. Following their rescue, Yang, traumatized, has brief reactive psychosis which provokes violent outbursts and makes her unresponsive. Yang leaves Seattle to become a cardiothoracic surgical fellow and goes, as planned, to the Mayo Clinic, but has difficulties adapting to her new colleagues' way of working. While in Minnesota, Yang develops a friendship with a near-retirement cardio surgeon, Craig Thomas (William Daniels). She mainly teases him with comments regarding his old age. She also begins an affair with the head of surgery Dr. Darren Parker (Steven Culp) who has issues with Thomas. After Thomas dies from a heart attack, Yang returns to Seattle.
Cristina is re-hired and Owen asks for a divorce once Cristina wants to reconcile. Shocked, Cristina agrees, but later finds out that the potential conflict of interest regarding the plane crash lawsuit was a key motive behind Owen's request and confronts him. Owen tells her that he 'feels responsible' and was worried as he thought she was dead. They have a sexual relationship after divorcing. The hospital is sued and found guilty of negligence. The surviving doctors, including Yang, must receive $15 million of compensation each, which leads the hospital to a near-bankruptcy as the insurers refuse to pay. Yang, Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), and the other surviving doctors buy the hospital with the help of the Harper-Avery Foundation to prevent it from closing, and each become members of the new directing board. After buying the hospital, Yang realizes that she was made for the O.R. and breaks things off with Owen because he still wants kids and she still does not.
After breaking up with Owen, Cristina continues to excel at surgery and becomes de facto chief of cardio. Although supportive of Meredith's choice to become a mother, Cristina points out the fact that it has hurt Meredith's career and clinical judgment. This causes a wedge in their friendship. Grey attempts to catch up professionally with a research trial, but the divide widens when Cristina's trial overshadows Grey's and steals Grey's resources. When Dr. Shane Ross, a second-year resident, stands up to Meredith for her, Cristina kisses him, and later begins sleeping with him, as well as becoming his mentor and passing on the skills learned from Altman. Cristina's project is immensely successful, and she is informed that she could be considered for the Harper Avery award from her 3-D printing of a heart conduit. Grey and Yang reconcile when Grey acknowledges that Yang is correct, she has surpassed Grey, and that Grey is jealous of Yang's professional freedom and success, while her own is hampered by her family.
Cristina is nominated for the Harper Avery award and is a strong candidate, however she is passed over due to her relationship with the Harper-Avery Foundation, that co-owns Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital. Cristina goes to speak at a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, orchestrated by Burke who built his own hospital following his winning of the Harper Avery. He offers Cristina his job as the head of the hospital so that he can spend more time with his wife and kids.
Cristina accepts the offer and interviews candidates for her replacement position at the hospital, including Maggie Pierce for the new chief of cardio. Cristina transfers her hospital shares to Alex Karev and recommends he take over her seat on the board.
At the end of Season 10, she says goodbye to her co-workers she has come to know and love including Owen, Derek and Meredith. Cristina and Meredith share special moments reminiscing about all the horrors they went through and dancing it out one last time. Cristina leaves for Zurich with surgical intern Shane Ross, who chooses to leave in order to study under her in Switzerland where she now owns a research hospital. There, Cristina thrives as the new owner.
After Cristina left, the others mention her from time to time, going as far as in having a phone call with her. Her voice isn't heard. She is last seen from behind at Derek's funeral, sitting with Meredith.
In Season 16, Meredith gets text messages from Cristina saying she has given her a "gift". Meredith spends the episode looking for the gift and at the conclusion of the episode we find that the gift from Yang was the new pediatric surgeon Cormac Hayes (Richard Flood), affectionately called McWidow. He becomes a love interest for Meredith.

## Development
### Casting & creation

Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey's Anatomy, has revealed that the character of Cristina Yang was inspired in part by her own personality. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rhimes explained: "Cristina was second, simply because she's the kind of woman I know really well, and I like her. There's something interesting about a person who is that driven, a little bit emotionally disconnected, but still a caring, sweet, and smart individual you could be friends with." This insight reflects Cristina's blend of ambition and emotional complexity, traits that made her character both relatable and intriguing to viewers.
Sandra Oh, who portrayed Cristina, originally auditioned for the role of Miranda Bailey but expressed relief that she didn't land the part, saying, "Thank God I did not get that part," and noting that the show wouldn't be the same without Chandra Wilson, who eventually took on the role of Bailey. When discussing Oh's casting as Yang, Rhimes said: "She brought this energy that felt very fresh. From the beginning, I've been shaping Cristina around Sandra a little bit. One of my favorite things to do is take as much of her dialogue out of a scene as possible because she does so much nonverbally. Then I just watch what she manages to do without having a word to say."
Cristina Yang was not originally intended to be of Asian descent. In a candid comment, Sandra Oh mentioned that the character was initially written as "a pert little blonde." She credited Shonda Rhimes' influence as a black woman running the show as instrumental in the decision to cast her, emphasizing the importance of diverse representation by saying, "which makes a big fucking difference." In 2009, when asked why Oh signed on for Grey's Anatomy, Oh said:
    "I'm very proud of this show and I think it came along at the right time for me. It's a changing time on television because 5 or 10 years ago you wouldn't have a major network show where half of the cast were not white." Oh's original contract with the show expired after season 8, however, E! Online reported in May 2012, that Oh, as well as all original cast members, had signed on for 2 more years.

### Characterization

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) characterized Cristina Yang as "competitive", "ambitious", and "intelligent", while also noting her flaws as being "bossy", "aggressive", and "tactless". Sandra Oh, who portrayed Cristina, explained her approach to the character by saying: "I've always tried to play Cristina with a tremendous amount of focus and ambition—which is the reality for a female surgeon. In real life, there aren't many of them. But the ones you encounter are at the very top of their game. You have to have a kind of ascetic personality to survive." Her portrayal reflected the drive and determination required to excel in the demanding field of surgery, especially as a woman. James Pickens Jr., who portrayed Dr. Richard Webber, added: "That character itself set a bar in terms of how we look at millennial women: independent yet vulnerable, seriously competitive yet caring."
One of the key relationships in Cristina's storyline was with Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), with Rhimes referring to them as "Burktina". Rhimes cited the episode "Losing My Religion" as one of her favorites because it showcased the evolution of Cristina and Burke's relationship over the course of Season 2.
Rhimes commented on Cristina's emotional struggle, explaining, "[We see] her struggle to suppress all of her humanity in pursuit of perfection. And in my mind, what we realize is that she is not cold. She is terrified. Scared that if she lets her emotions out, they will overtake her and she will be hurt. And you can't hate her. Because it's so incredibly human and understandable."
Cristina's friendship with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was one of the defining aspects of the show, often described as a "sisterhood." Cristina frequently referred to Meredith as "her person", a term that came to symbolize their deep, unwavering bond. The two were dubbed the "twisted sisters" due to their shared dark humor and complex emotional lives. At the conclusion of Season 3, Cristina and Meredith even went on a "honeymoon" together after Cristina's failed wedding to Burke, a detail Rhimes called her "favorite" in the finale.
New York magazine emphasized Cristina's career-driven nature, stating, "There's probably no woman on TV right now more single-mindedly dedicated to her career than Cristina. It has long been her defining characteristic." This singular focus on her profession shaped many of her decisions, including her choice to have an abortion in Season 8. Rhimes explained that Cristina's decision was consistent with her character, stating: "I really wanted Cristina Yang to stay true to who Cristina Yang is. And I feel like that is a character who has never really wanted to be a mother. The idea that this woman would have a child that she did not want and resented for ruining her career and resented Owen for making her have [it] would have been hideous." The storyline echoed an earlier arc in season 2, where a planned abortion turned into an ectopic pregnancy—a choice made for more dramatic storytelling at the time.
Discussing his on-screen relationship with Cristina, Kevin McKidd (who portrayed Owen Hunt) said: "It's not going to be easy for them. Owen and Cristina are very similar, both being highly analytical people. They see each other across a crowded ER, and their eyes meet, and that's where it begins." Despite the difficulties in their relationship, including Owen's PTSD and Cristina's commitment to her career, McKidd expressed faith in their bond, saying: "I think they're meant for each other... It's going to get worse, but it's going to get better soon."
Oh reflected on Cristina's emotional journey during Season 8, noting that the character expresses emotions deeply, but only with two people: her best friend Meredith and her husband Owen. Oh stated: "To see someone being pulled apart so intensely, which honestly most everyone goes through in their life in some ways, if you're lucky you're completely pulled apart and then you have to pull yourself together, which hopefully will be the exploration within the next season."
Despite the turbulence in Cristina and Owen's marriage, McKidd remained optimistic, telling The Hollywood Reporter: "I hold out faith in Cristina and Owen, even though they go to the darkest places out of all the couples on the show."

## Reception
### Reviews

Cristina Yang received positive reviews at the start of Grey's Anatomy, and as the series progressed, those reviews turned into widespread acclaim, with Yang becoming an iconic character, not only for the show but for television as a whole. Kelli Catana of The Huffington Post referred to Yang as "the best damn character" on the series. Her character was included in Comcast's list of "TV's Most Intriguing Characters", with the website describing her as "an engaging, yet comedic factor for the prime-time soap Grey's Anatomy." Philadelphia Magazine featured her on its list of the "10 Best Doctors on Television", though it also listed her as one of the "12 Most Annoying Women on TV". Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald referred to her Yang's friendship with Meredith Grey as "the secret core of Grey's Anatomy and perhaps creator Shonda Rhimes' greatest contribution to primetime." This sentiment was echoed by Kelli Catana of HuffPost, who described the Meredith/Cristina relationship as "probably the most true friendship on network television."
Yang's friendship with Meredith was a central element of the series and was often listed as one of the best friendships on TV. AOL TV ranked them in their "Top 20: TV's Best BFFs", and Entertainment Weekly featured them in its "30 Best TV Bromances/Gal Pals." Yahoo! Voices included Yang on its list of "The Most Loyal TV Best-Friends of All Time", and Lauren Shotwell of Television Without Pity described her as the only character among the five original interns who "regularly acts like an actual doctor."
Cristina's romantic relationship with Preston Burke was highly acclaimed. IGN regarded as "one of the most interesting relationships on television", while The Orange County Register found their romance "touching and funny." However, not all storylines involving their relationship were well received. Christopher Monfette of IGN criticized the wedding plot in Season 3, calling it predictable and not compelling. Their breakup made UGO.com's list of "The Most Horrible TV Breakups."
Yang's relationship with Owen Hunt also received praise, with Monfette commenting that their interactions were well-balanced for maximum drama, and they revealed a softer side of Cristina. Jennifer Armstrong of Entertainment Weekly praised their relationship, particularly in the episode "Elevator Love Letter", where she said Sandra Oh and Kevin McKidd delivered Emmy-worthy performances. Armstrong also noted that Cristina's ability to stand by Owen despite his struggles added depth to her character.
The show's handling of Cristina's abortion storyline in Season 8 was lauded for its bravery. New York Magazine commended Grey's Anatomy for being one of the few shows willing to address the topic directly, calling the abortion "the only plausible resolution" for Cristina's pregnancy. Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly reflected on Cristina's decisions following Owen's affair, calling her actions both silly and profound depending on the perspective. Robert Bianco of USA Today praised Cristina's storylines in Season 8, particularly for how they explored complex emotional responses to past trauma.
Cristina's brief departure to the Mayo Clinic in Season 9 also garnered positive reviews. Liane Bonin Starr of HitFix appreciated the fresh perspective it offered on Yang, stating that it allowed viewers to see a new side of her character, which was refreshing after many seasons.
The friendship between Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey was perhaps one of the most beloved elements of the series, described as one of the best female friendships on television. Aisha Harris of Slate called their relationship The Best Female Friendship on TV, adding that Shonda Rhimes created one of the most nuanced and realistic portrayals of female friendship. Samantha Highfill of Entertainment Weekly similarly praised their bond, stating, "They don't try to be. There's nothing fake about them, which is a rarity in how female friends are portrayed on television." She even referred to them as "soulmates." Margaret Lyons of Vulture also highlighted their friendship, calling it the "dream BFF relationship" and noting that it was often more central to the show than the romantic relationships depicted.
Upon Oh's exit from the series in season 10, E! wrote, "In Grey's Anatomy's 10-year history, the doctor-duo has been through a lot together: weddings, deaths, bomb-threats, drownings, shootings, plane-crashes, superstorms, you name it, they've lived (and danced) through it." and added, "And with the 3 words, "You're My Person", Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang solidified their status as the small screen's best best-friends ever."

### Awards

Oh has received numerous awards and nominations for her portrayal of Cristina Yang on Grey's Anatomy. She received 5 consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series from 2005 to 2009. That same year, she was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 10th Satellite Awards. In 2006, she was also a part of the Grey's Anatomy cast that won the Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series. That same year, Oh also won Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards.
At the 12th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Oh also won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, she was also part of the ensemble cast nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series from 2006 to 2008, with a victory in 2007.
In 2010, Oh was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the 41st NAACP Image Awards, and again in 2012. In 2011, she was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards. That same year, she received nominations for Favorite TV Drama Actress and Favorite TV Doctor at the 37th People's Choice Awards, categories in which she was nominated again at the 40th and the 41st People's Choice Awards. Oh and her co-star Ellen Pompeo were also nominated in the Favorite TV Gal Pals category.