Katherine Heigl again speaking up on ‘cruel’ working conditions on Grey’s Anatomy

Katherine Heigl went through a media storm after claiming working conditions on Grey’s Anatomy were “cruel” - now she’s speaking up again.

It’s been more than a decade since Katherine Heigl faced immense criticism and a battered reputation for making comments about the tough working conditions on Grey’s Anatomy.

The now 42-year-old, who played Izzie Stevens on the smash hit medical drama before bowing out in 2010, copped a wave of backlash after declaring her workload “cruel” during a 2009 interview on David Letterman’s late-night show.

At the time, she told the host, “Our first day back was Wednesday. It was … I’m going to keep saying this because I hope it embarrasses them, a 17-hour day, which I think is cruel and mean.”

Reports then began to surface that Heigl was “difficult” to work with, with US broadcaster Diane Sawyer famously telling her “no one feels sorry for you”.

Now, having continued to forge a successful career in TV in the years afterwards, Heigl has stood by the comments she made in a lengthy Instagram message which took aim at the industry’s tough conditions.

“Some of you may remember over ten years ago I was very vocal about the absurdity of the working hours crews and actors were being forced into by production,” Heigl wrote, alongside a picture of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees’ (IATSE) union logo. “I very publicly and for many many years after got my a** kicked for speaking up.

Actress Katherine Heigl starred on Grey’s Anatomy from 2005 to 2010.

“We are making entertainment. We are not solving world hunger or curing cancer. We are telling stories.

“When production plows (sic) into hour 14 and beyond they are asking our crews to drive themselves home bone tired.”

Heigl, who is preparing to begin filming on the new TV miniseries Woodhull, went on to detail the impact of exhaustion among cast and crew on sets.

“The number of people who have fallen asleep at the wheel is staggering,” Heigl continued. “The number of accidents that happen on set due to exhaustion are shocking.

“Illness both mental and physical is off the charts. There is nothing glamorous or sexy about working past the point of exhaustion.

“When I first spoke up I was speaking on behalf of myself and my crew on Grey’s. Today things are a little different for me. I am in the fortunate position of being able to say no. To turn down a job if it requires more then (sic) I can bear.”

Katherine Heigl has stood by her comments about working conditions on set. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CMT

The Firefly Lane actress, who also starred on Suits for two seasons after Meghan Markle’s departure in 2017, then called for fair work conditions in the industry.

“I’ve kind of aged out of giving a sh*t if I p*ss people off by creating boundaries that protect my health, sanity and work,” she wrote.

“So this post is not for me. It is for the crew. It is for my family from another mother. It is time for reasonable and fair work conditions, wages and hours to be more then (sic) just a priority they need to be the norm. Period.

“To all the crews on all the sets all over this great big world of ours. I support you.”

The post comes as IATSE has been demanding better conditions for more than 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers in theatre, television and film productions, and are reportedly preparing strike action.

Heigl, along with Kerry Washington, Mandy Moore and Joshua Jackson are among the actors who have recently shown their support for the union.

Originally published as Katherine Heigl again speaking up on ‘cruel’ working conditions on Grey’s Anatomy