Grey’s Anatomy Star Natalie Morales Opens Up About Season 22 Character Death

The season 22 premiere of “Grey’s Anatomy” confirmed a major character death. Dr. Monica Beltran, portrayed by Natalie Morales, perished in the hospital explosion that concluded season 21. The episode aired on ABC, delivering a devastating blow to the staff of Grey Sloan Memorial.

This dramatic exit resolves a major cliffhanger for the long-running medical drama. According to Deadline, the character was crushed by falling machinery during the catastrophic blast.

Natalie Morales Reflects on Her Character’s Dramatic Exit

Natalie Morales admitted she was not entirely surprised by her character’s fate. She revealed to Deadline that when producers called to invite her back, she initially thought Dr. Beltran might have already died. Showrunner Meg Marinis then confirmed the planned exit.

Morales expressed gratitude for her time on the show. She described the cast and crew as a joy to work with and said she trusted the creative decision. She felt the death, while sad, worked well for the story.

Showrunner Explains the Difficult Creative Decision

Executive producer Meg Marinis confessed she did not want to kill any character this season. She told Deadline she tried to avoid it during the writing process. However, upon rewatching the season 21 finale, the narrative path became clear.

Marinis praised Natalie Morales as an incredible performer. She expressed hope to work with the actress again in the future. The decision ultimately served the show’s high-stakes storytelling tradition.

The shocking death of Dr. Beltran sets a dramatic tone for Grey’s Anatomy season 22. This event will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for the interns and staff at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Thought you’d like to know-

Which character died in the Grey’s Anatomy season 22 premiere?

Dr. Monica Beltran, played by Natalie Morales, was killed off. She died from injuries sustained in the hospital explosion at the end of season 21. The character was crushed by surgical equipment during the blast.

How did Dr. Beltran die in Grey’s Anatomy?

She was fatally injured by hospital machinery that fell on her during the explosion. Despite her critical injuries, she managed to guide an intern through a surgery before succumbing. Her death was confirmed in the premiere episode.

Was Natalie Morales expecting her character to be killed off?

Yes, the actress told Deadline she had a feeling her character might not survive. When she got the call to return, she mentioned to the showrunner that she thought Dr. Beltran would have died. The creative team ultimately agreed with that direction.

What has the showrunner said about the character death?

Meg Marinis stated she initially did not want to kill anyone this season. She explained that the story direction became inevitable after reviewing the previous season’s finale. The decision was made for narrative impact.

How long was Natalie Morales on Grey’s Anatomy?

Morales first joined the cast in season 20. Her initial contract was for three to five episodes, but she was featured more extensively. Her final appearance was in the season 22 premiere.