Grey's Anatomy: How Did George Die On Grey's Anatomy? | TV

Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Grey fights for life in episode promo

Grey's Anatomy season 17 recently hit screens on ABC with fans served up with another blast from the past. This week saw yet another character from Meredith's (played by Ellen Pompeo) past appearing as she continued to battle with coronavirus. The medic was again on the beach and saw George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) leaning against a lifeguard tower. 

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Fans were shocked to see George, who had tragically died, return in one of Meredith's dreams. 

The pair had a conversation during which Meredith said George's death had left her devastated, and he had changed her life. 

George died during one of the most traumatic incidents in season six of the series, after he jumped in front of a bus to save someone's life. 

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The heart surgeon was due to enlist in the army, but he died in hospital following the heroic act before he was deployed. 

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Showrunner Krista Vernoff said: "George was my first idea. When this imagining came to me I was walking on the beach.

"I had found a way where there was no one there and I felt like I could take my mask off and just walk with my feet in the water, and the imagining came to me of Meredith walking with her feet in the water with George."

READ MORE: Grey's Anatomy You'll Never Walk Alone cast: Who is in the cast?

Grey's Anatomy: George suffered a tragic death (Image: Sky)

Grey's Anatomy: George visited Meredith in her dream (Image: ABC)

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Fans were left distraught following the bus incident, as George was left so badly injured, his colleagues did not recognise him. 

He had traced the numbers 007 on Meredith's hand, and this was how she came to realise it was him. 

Sadly it was too late to save the beloved surgeon, and he died in hospital. 

Their first reunion episode on December 3 left fans in tears, and it is said to be one of many encounters to come. 

The beach theme has been used throughout the pandemic as a way of bringing a form of escape for viewers. 

Grey's Anatomy: Meredith and George talked about life (Image: ABC)

Vernoff had called it a "joyful discovery" when George returned, saying there had been plans to reintroduce some characters from the past during the beach scenes. 

When his character first left the series, Knight had said he felt George's time was up as he had been appearing less on screen. 

Fans had sorely missed his character and they were delighted to see him return during the heartwarming episode. 

In an interview, Knight said his first comeback scene was an iconic moment, saying: "Even though we filmed this in the middle of October, I’m still trying to put into words how profound the experience was for me, so just hearing that made my eyes leak saltwater a little bit."

He said the moment created an overwhelming feeling of love, and it had filled him with joy. 

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Grey's Anatomy: Izzie and George (Image: Sky)

Fans took to Twitter to express their excitement over his return, with one saying: "Just watched todays ep of greys anatomy.

"Today's ep was awesome George is back! I was so happy I was like hell ya! I jumped up he was a favorite I missed him I was excited it was George in today's ep [sic]."

Another fan said: "I’m really crying they brought back George and Derek on grey’s anatomy I just can’t @GreysABC #georgeomalley #DerekShepherd #greysAnatomy17."

Vernoff said fans needed some closure following George's death. 

Knight said he had missed his colleagues following his departure from the series. On his return, he said: "It was hard for my brain to try to figure out who George would be now, or what he would be, and then to get Krista’s pages, even the first round. I only got two, but I mean it was just…oh yeah. I don’t know how to describe it other than it’s like, yeah, there he is."

READ MORE: Grey's Anatomy You'll Never Walk Alone cast: Who is in the cast?

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Fans had hoped it would be George who would return to the beach in the latest episode, and they were in luck. 

One said: "I haven’t been caught up on greys anatomy in years but i am convinced meredith will see george on tonight’s episode [sic]."

Another said it was "heartbreaking" seeing George for the first time following his tragic death. 

Knight is on Instagram and he shared a photo of himself with his co-star Pompeo, with the message: "Ellen is the kind of actor I’m endlessly grateful to act with.

"She’s the embodiment of truth. George and Meredith love each other, for sure, but I don’t think he can hold a candle to love I have for Ellen. #greysanatomy."

Grey's Anatomy airs on ABC

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