The New Season: The return of Isaiah

Well, that didn’t take long: Isaiah Washington has rebounded! NBC Universal Co-Chairman Ben Silverman announced today at his first press tour session that he has hired the actor who formerly played Dr. Preston Burke to join the cast of “Bionic Woman.” Washington has been signed up for five of the first six episodes, with the possibility of more.

“He’s a wonderful actor and a great performer, and he became available,” said Silverman, a comment that drew laughter in the standing-room-only ballroom.

“I started talking to him before he was available, to deal with the laughter. When he told me he was available, I was like, 'You are?' I didn’t quite understand what had gone on there. The bottom line is he’s a wonderful actor. The character is very strong and one in which he will do a great job.”

A press release sent by NBC described Washington's character as "a mysterious person who is brought into the enigmatic scientific organization that is responsible for creating the bionics that turn Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan, 'EastEnders') into the 'Bionic Woman.'  His agenda is unclear as he instructs Jaime on how to handle her new abilities."

Washington issued a statement through his publicist: "I am grateful and honored by NBC's belief in me, and I am looking forward to getting back to work."

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Comments

[marti cly]

I say hooray!!! I as a 63 year old and a white person found it very offensive that they let Isiah Washington go. I feel that he was rail roaded. Had it been someone to make a racial slur, then you probably would not have heard a single work about it. I have nephews that are gay, homosexuals, whatever they want to call themselves and they do not act that way. I have not watched Grey's Anatomy since this happened. They let the wrong person go if you ask me. Oh yes, I also have a son that is gay, so the young gay man on Grey's Anatomy needs to get over himself. I hope others have stopped watching this show also.

[Gary Bourgeault]

It's good to see a good actor and man like Isaiah Washington get back to work after the overly hyped incident.

With the other cast members in "Bionic Woman," Washington should be a good addition to the show, and will help to make it even better than is sounds like it'll be.

It's good to see someone in Hollywood with a little bit of guts.

[debbie williams]

Happy to hear that Isaiah Washington will be returning to NBC. He is a great actor!

[Brande]

I think its great that some hired him on, I'm reallly going to miss him on Greys I really liked his character on the show. It wont be the same with out him, had the network just accpeted his aplogy, and went on with the show.
I understand the network had to do what is had to do, but still they should have given him another chance.
I think people, networks etc, should accpet people and characters for who they are, even if there are gay or lesbian.
I have stopped watching the show since all this happend.
Your ratings will drop! and I'm glad, they let the wrong guy go,
He called the people that mattered the most went on national tv and apologied for what he had done. SHAME ON THE NETWORK FOR LETTING HIM GO!

[anna bella]

Eh. who cares.

[Phillip Sheppard]

I am happy to see Isaiah Washington get a second chance, as I agree he is a great actor. I very much enjoyed his work on Grays and other work he has been involved with.

I like the fact that Isaiah Washington tried to explain and apologize on national TV after his statements and tried to communicate the right thing and it continued to be misconstrued in my opinion by the media as it appeared they wanted to take this brother down.

I see him around town on occasion when I am skating along Ocean Ave or Pacific Park in Santa Monica and he gives a friendly nod.

In any event I look forward to checking out the new show. I will not stop watching Grays either as I like the other actors on the show also.

Phillip

[Kate]

Based on the reported quotes, it's a shame Mr. Washington doesn't seem to have recognized how he contributed to the problem. And even if he hadn't made ant-gay slurs repeatedly, he choked a fellow actor on set!

I wasn't that excited about Bionic Woman anyhow. I can't say I'd avoid it solely because Isiah Washington has been cast in it, but I wouldn't seek it out for that reason either.

[DAGMAR UNGER]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH ALL THE COMMENTS POSTED SO FAR. EVERY SINGLE ONE IS SUPPORTIVE OF GIVING ISAIAH ANOTHER CHANCE. AND YES HE BOUGHT ANOTHER ASPECT TO "GRAY'S" A SHOW I LOVE, HE WILL BE MISSED!!! SO GLAD HE'S FOUND WORK ON ANOTHER SHOW.

[ray]

Good deal. He'll keep any evil bionic gays in check.

[Tnina]

It was his own damn fault that they let him go, he was the one who kept bringing it up.

They let it go and then he would say he was sorry, then say he never said it.

Glad he's gone.

[Misty Meanor]

Well I won't watch the show now and I really wanted to watch Bionic Woman. I find the comments above rather appalling but it doesn't really surprise me. I hope the people above consider the Mel Gibson, Michael Krammer and Don Imus incidents to be trivial and completely "over-hyped" matters. For shame!

[Tara]

"Oh yes, I also have a son that is gay, so the young gay man on Grey's Anatomy needs to get over himself. "

That young gay man on Grey's spoke once and only to the media about this aside from the statement where he came out. He has carried himself with far more class than Isaiah Washington is even capable of. I agree that in fairness Isaiah probably had earned a real shot at starting over, but your compulsion to blame the victim is alarming. As Isaiah himself proved, having gay friends and family does not necessarily give one any gay "credibility" or sound judgement regarding these issues.

[Traci,]

Yeah. He is a VERY GOOD ACTOR. (period).
I am glad to see him back in a major role in Prime Time. I was hoping to see him on HEROES or even VEGAS. But this should work out well.

[rpond123]

This is so great! Good for Isaiah. I for one will not miss "Greys Anatomy" now that Isaiah is gone. I also think T.R Knight needs to get over himself. If you ask me he used that situation to further his career. Used his own Gay people for sympathy. He makes me sick....He will never be a lead actor. Never! Isaiah is going to go places. Good for him. You go Isaiah!

[Raquel]

I think this is despicable. Isaiah has had chance after chance after chance, and he has blown each one, by verbally and physically attacking people, refusing to abide by the gag order that all the other GA cast did, and repeatedly lying. Hell, the man apologized then turned round and said he only did it because he was forced to! he is obviously unstable and is incapable of putting his own feelings aside for the good of the show.

[Lynda]

Isaiah was an extremely good actor on Greys. He's part of the reason why I watched the show. Good luck to Mr. Washington.

[Ms. Black]

I'm incredible happy, and will watch Bionic Woman just for Isaiah.

It's sad we forgive the Paris Hilton's of this world---who's offended people on racial and many other levels.

Isaiah apologized, and the whole scenario was blown out of context. I'm glad he's coming back!

[Kiki]

I am elated that Isaiah is going to be on the Bionic Woman. I saw the preview for it a few weeks ago. It looks like a winner. I think Isaiah is a talented actor and I'm excited to hear that he will be back on TV!

[Janie]

I'm glad to see that Isaiah Washington will be back on prime time. I think he is a fantastic actor, and his character on Grey's was one of my favorites. I was a bit interested in Bionic initially, but I will definitely watch it now.

[Moore]

I am so glad Isiah got another job. He is a very talented actor. I love to watch the complexity he brings to a character- that is the very human experience and it is that other show's loss. I will never watch that other show again. Isiah is all about the work and the quality of the product. Yes, he could have been nicer but very talented people expect the same level of dedication to the work in others. The people at the other network were quite stupid in firing him and his quick rebound speaks volumes about his talent.

[Donna]

No way I'm watching any show he's on. The sooner he fades into oblivion the better. Grey's will be a better show without him and Bionic Woman will be watched by a lot fewer people because of him, including me. There is such a thing as bad publicity, NBC. How about hiring some grow ups?

[terry]

Pilot ep was decent at best.. a lot of room to grow so I can only see it getting better

http://bionicwoman-tv.net/