How Dean Millers Death In Station 19 Is Different From Other Shondaland Exits
Quick Links
Spoilers for Station 19 season five ahead.A spin-off of long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Station 19 has seen several characters die across its five seasons.
Just like with the main show led by Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, Station 19 — focusing on the professional and personal lives of a group of firefighters in Seattle — and other series produced under Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland banner have had fans pick up their jaws off the floor with some truly tragic exits.
One of the most shocking departures of season five happened a little differently than others, as it had been the actor who approached producers to leave his bunker gear behind.
Why Dean Miller Died In Station 19?
Hamilton star Okieriete Onaodowan starred on five seasons of Station 19, appearing in its first season in the role of firefighter Dean Miller.
Brave and charismatic, Dean had quite the arc throughout the show's five seasons. His evolution happened through different storylines: from experiencing fatherhood to reflecting on systemic racism following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
After four fulfilling seasons as Dean, Onaodowan decided it was time he pursued other career opportunities. According to several sources, the actor approached the creative team, including Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff and executive producer Paris Barclay, to ask them to write his character off (via Deadline).
Onaodowan agreed to star in the first few episodes of season five, which premiered in September 2021, to wrap up Dean's story.
Dean Miller Dies During A Crossover Event With Grey's Anatomy
In episode five "Things We Lost In The Fire" (which marked the beginning of a crossover event with Grey's Anatomy), Dean dies of the injuries sustained during a gas explosion.
Earlier in the episode, the character responds to a call with Vic Hughes (Barrett Doss) and the rest of the group. While on site, he and Vic are both injured and transported to the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Vic's ambulance arrives first, while Dean's followed with its sirens turned off, meaning that the patient on board has died. Dean passes away after sharing a touching moment with Ben Warren (Jason George).
After Dean's death, Ben recalled a promise he had made his friend: he had agreed to take care of his daughter Pruitt if anything happened to him. Though hesitant, Ben's wife, Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), agrees to take Pruitt in.
Dean Miller And Other Characters Who Were Written Off Shondaland Shows
While Dean's death shouldn't come as a surprise for many seasoned Shondaland shows watchers, the dynamics of Onaodowan's exit are a little unusual as he was killed off after specifically requesting to leave.
Many other actors have left Shondaland shows to pursue more work opportunities. While some of them have seen their characters die just like Onaodowan did — it happened to Grey's Anatomy's Cheryl Leigh (Lexie Grey) and T.R. Knight (George O'Malley) others, including Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page (Simon Basset) and Grey's veteran Sara Ramirez (Callie Torres) and Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang), were simply written off without kicking the bucket.
Other actors, however, were let go due to storyline reasons, including Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew on Grey's, without having a say in their characters' fates, but leaving the door open for a possible return.
In a show which has seen relatively fewer deaths among the main cast compared to other Shondaland series, it was probably the right decision for Station 19 to have such a tear-jerking exit.
"It's been a pleasure being Dean. I have Shonda Rhimes, Stacy McKee, Krista Vernoff, Paris Barclay, and ABC to thank for allowing me to bring him to life," the actor said in a statement to Deadline in November last year.
"I am grateful I got to work with the most loving, kind, and dedicated crew in network TV. And most importantly, thanks to the fans for showing Dean so much love. I hope he has inspired you to change your world for the better. Be the change!"
What Station 19 Showrunner Krista Vernoff Thinks Of Dean Miller Actor Okieriete Onaodowan
Onaodowan also thanked showrunner Vernoff and executive producer Paris Barclay "for challenging me, listening to me, and allowing me to grow and learn, and always offering the great knowledge you both have amassed."
On her part, Vernoff posted a heartfelt tribute to Onaodowan, acknowledging his talent and wishing him the best on future endeavors.
"I am a better artist and human for having had the opportunity to work with Okieriete Onaodowan. I am heartbroken by the loss of Dean Miller and that I no longer get to write for Oak," Vernoff said of the actor.
"Oak has an expansive spirit and was ready for and craving new artistic horizons —and I truly can't wait to see what he does next. It will be powerful, it will be deep, and it will be courageous because Oak is all of those things."
After his stint on Station 19, Onaodowan has been cast in the recently announced series Damascus, a half-hour series about life as an ordinary Black man in today's America.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGibnpmeYrqquMueqWarpJbBqrvNZmhyZZSarrW0jLCfmqxdna6xvMSnnJ1n