Shonda Rhimes, photographed in New York in October 2021.
(The Tyler Twins)
You never know where a single spark of inspiration could take you. Consider Shonda Rhimes, whose journey to the top of the television business began a few decades ago when a doctor told her how difficult it was to shave her legs in the shower at the hospital where she worked long hours.
Rhimes was struck by this seemingly trivial detail and the idea for “Grey’s Anatomy” was born. At the center of the show was Meredith Grey, a surgical intern who, in the pilot's opening scene, wakes up after having a one-night stand with a man who turns out to be her new boss.
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Rhimes, then a television newcomer with some writing credits to her name, resisted the network's concerns about putting such a messy woman at the center of a TV show. He was right to trust his instinct: “Grey’s Anatomy,” now in its 20th season, is one of the longest-running primetime dramas on American television and the cornerstone of an entertainment empire built around female characters. complicated, fast-moving films that fly in the face of Hollywood's narrow assumptions about race, gender, and “likability.”
In 2014, Rhimes was one of the most prolific producers in the television business, responsible for an entire night of ABC primetime programming that included the spirited dramas “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder.” His production company, Shondaland, became an instantly recognizable brand, known for delightfully tangled storylines, fast-paced dialogue, and diverse ensembles led by women who unapologetically wielded power, whether political, professional, sexual, or social.
His influence can be measured by metrics deeper than total viewing hours: his shows have changed the way the world talks.
Although she thrived on network television, Rhimes, now 54, yearned for global reach. In 2017, he signed a deal with Netflix worth at least $100 million, prompting an exodus of other top showrunners to streaming services. He's proven his worth to Netflix, and more, with hits like the daring period romance “Bridgerton,” its spinoff “Queen Charlotte” and the limited series “Inventing Anna.”
But his influence can be measured by deeper metrics than total viewing hours: His shows have changed the way the world talks (where would we be without the euphemism “vajayjay,” popularized by “Grey's Anatomy”?), inspired countless other portrayals of flawed but relatable women on television, and opened up entire genres to millions of people who once felt ignored by pop culture (“Bridgerton” put a bold, multicultural spin on Regency romance). We all live in Shondaland now.
