In season three, Burke left Cristina at the altar and then departed, eventually winning a Harper Avery award elsewhere and later moving to Zurich, Switzerland to establish his own hi-tech hospital. He got married, started a family, and then in season 10, he invited Cristina to his hospital to take over for him as he retired.
Isaiah Washington exited the series after it was reported that he used a gay slur against costar T.R. Knight during an argument on set with Patrick Dempsey, and all his defenses only worsened the situation before he was ultimately let go from the series. Apparently, he and ABC reconciled, as they allowed him to return for a second time in 2014.
Regarding Washington’s comments on the incident, he later issued a public apology, stating in another statement, “I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.”
Since his departure from Grey’s Anatomy, he has portrayed Thelonious Jaha on The CW’s The 100, until his character was killed off in season five, followed by his role in Starz’ critically acclaimed P-Valley.
