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The Story Behind Grey’s Anatomy Doco, Anatomy Of Lies, Is More Drama-Fuelled Than The Show

There's a lot to unpack here
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If ever there were a show to win an Emmy award for most outlandish or shocking storylines, it surely would go to Grey’s Anatomy. The hit medical drama has just been renewed for its twenty-first season (yes you read that right) and has had fans on the edge of their seats since 2005.

From the horrific plane crash that killed off Lexi and Dr McSteamy to Izzie and Denny’s love story and George’s shock death (up there with one of the most harrowing in television history) Grey’s Anatomy has had no shortage of dramatic plotlines. It turns out, however, the drama didn’t end when cameras stopped rolling.

In 2022, it was uncovered that Elizabeth Finch, a consulting producer on the show, had fabricated large portions of her personal and medical history, including a rare cancer diagnosis. What has this got to do with Grey’s Anatomy? We hear you ask.

Well, the web of lies, which was unravelled in a huge expose by Vanity Fair in the same year, landed Finch her role working with the show and even influenced storylines. Now, it’s all being explored in a three-part docuseries, Anatomy Of Lies.

Remember when Seattle Grace Hospital was locked down by a gunman? (Source: ABC)

What Is The Grey’s Anatomy Documentary Anatomy Of Lies About?

Anatomy Of Lies explores the story of Grey’s Anatomy producer, Elisabeth Finch, and the lies that led to her Hollywood success and subsequent demise.

According to the show description, “The docuseries reveals how Finch, a master of manipulation, saved her best fiction for her own life story and exploited the empathy of those around her. Her final mark was trauma survivor Jennifer Beyer, who entrusted Finch with her deepest secrets.” “But as Beyer uncovers the web of lies that deceived Hollywood for years, she faces a daunting challenge: Can she reclaim the narrative from a convincing storyteller who showed no signs of stopping?”

Watch the trailer below.

What Did Elisabeth Finch Lie About?

In the context of Anatomy Of Lies, Finch’s story begins in 2014 with an emotive and powerful essay about her chondrosarcoma (a rare and usually fatal form of bone cancer) diagnosis for Elle US.

At the time, Finch was already working in Hollywood on The Vampire Diaries. Her punchy and powerful piece of publishing caught the attention of a development executive at Shondaland, and in turn led to a job offer on the show which was in its 10th season at the time.

In her time on set, Finch’s cancer story translated into on-screen storylines while out in the real world she was chronicling her experience with chondrosarcoma for big-name publications and still battling her illness.

The medical woes didn’t end there, with Finch claiming to defy odds and fall pregnant before having to have an abortion due to the cancer treatment as well as alleging to need a kidney transplant. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg that Anatomy Of Lies begins to uncover.

Where To Watch Anatomy Of Lies In Australia

All three episodes of Anatomy Of Lies will drop on October 15th in the U.S. on Peacock. Exactly how or when the series will be available in Australian is yet to be confirmed.

In the meantine, you could rewatch all episodes of Grey’s Anatomy… atleast that’s what we’re doing.

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