Grey’s Anatomy has announced that its first nonbinary doctor will become a recurring character on the show.
Dr. Kai Bartley, played by non-binary actor E.R. Fightmaster, made their debut on Season 18’s third episode as a Parkinson’s disease researcher.
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Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Amelia Shepherd meet Dr. Bartley while on a trip to the Minnesota hospital where they work. When the show picks back up on November 11, Dr. Bartley will return as a regular on the long-running medical drama.
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ABC describes Dr. Bartley as “dedicated to their craft and extremely talented at what they do,” as well as “confident as hell and able to make even the most detailed and mundane science seem exciting and cool.”
Last week, Fightmaster celebrated the news of their casting on Instagram, posting a headline from Variety and writing, “I am having so much fun.”
The official Grey’s Anatomy Twitter account also posted the news and wrote that Fightmaster “has been an incredible addition to the #GreysAnatomy family.”
Dr. Kai is back in town! @GenderlessGapAd has been an incredible addition to the #GreysAnatomy family 💙 https://t.co/jhESmwX88G
— Grey's Anatomy (@GreysABC) October 29, 2021
In addition to playing the show’s first non-binary doctor, Fightmaster appears to be the first non-binary actor who has been out while appearing on the show. Sara Ramirez, who played Dr. Callie Torres from 2006 to 2016, came out as non-binary last year.
Trans actor Alex Blue Davis also played trans doctor Casey Parker for three seasons.
Many fans have expressed their excitement to see Fightmaster on the show, as well as their theories about what they have deemed the obvious chemistry between Dr. Bartley and Dr. Amelia Shepherd.
dr kai bartley i am in love with u https://t.co/wq01j7Fvmx
— autumn 👻 (@3amsinterlude) October 25, 2021
DR KAI BARTLEY MY BELOVED GREYS SAID NONBINARY RIGHTS I WILL CRY https://t.co/LB9aKZaH6p
— mir ♡ (taylor’s version) 11 (@pastelcappucino) October 29, 2021
OMGGGGG AMELIA AND DR. KAI!!! WE ARE DEFINITELY WINNING!!! #GreysAnatomy
— Amanda (@MEREDIITHGREYY) October 15, 2021
So…can they please make this ship happen? 🙏😍 Dr. Shepherd and Dr.Kai? Pleasaaaseeee @GreysABC @shondaland @KristaVernoff @caterinatweets #GreysAnatomy #ameliashepherd #shondaland pic.twitter.com/IxxMeoxf1t
— Marian (@Marinaland19) October 22, 2021
I am pretty sure Amelia is going to leave Link and end up with them by the end of Season 18.
Dr. Kai Bartley is so cool! #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/ObBsGhwXRd— Hope (@kirkstan8) October 16, 2021
OKKKK THE WAY DR KAI AND AMELIA LOOKED AT ONE ANOTHERRRR?? #GreysAnatomy18
— lexoween 🎃 (@8lexnicole) October 8, 2021
Dr.Amelia Shepherd and Dr.Kai Bartley appreciation post. 😍@caterinatweets#GreysAnatomy #Greys #DrAmeliaShepherd #KaiBartley #CaterinaScorsone pic.twitter.com/ON4kPRI5Mr
— red velvet eclair (@redvelveteclair) October 26, 2021
Fightmaster graduated from DePaul University and is an alum of Chicago’s renowned Second City comedy club. They have appeared in the Hulu series Shrill, as well as Showtime’s Work in Progress.
