As Station 19 winds down to its final episodes, the cast and crew of the ABC and Shondaland hit are, as you can imagine, having a moment. Station 19’s end comes on the heels of the huge accomplishment of hitting 100 episodes — a landmark that’s rare in television and a testament to how successful and impactful the series has been in its seven seasons.
Naturally, everyone who helped bring the show to life — from the actors and the special-effects folks to the writers, editors, sound experts, and hundreds of others — felt a range of emotions as they processed the end of an era. It’s certainly not easy to say goodbye, but one way the Station 19 family made it manageable was by having an over-the-top, incredible farewell party for the ages.
Held at a massive private venue in Hollywood, the Station 19 series wrap party was fire — not only in the modern-day slang way, with cocktails, tons of savory food, and a DJ spinning hits, but also literally: A dessert station included actual fire with huge torches shooting flames as servers whipped up flambé treats! It was a fabulous, bittersweet goodbye for the ages, and Shondaland was on hand to capture the moment.
Ahead of the actual party, Station 19 actors and producers walked a red carpet and shared their thoughts on the poignant occasion — and how they were preparing to move forward personally and professionally.
“I’m the most overwhelmed combination of grateful and heartbroken,” Peter Paige, co-showrunner with Zoanne Clack, said, echoing a sentiment shared by many. “I haven’t made it through a table read without crying.”
Everybody was in a reflective but upbeat mood, ruminating on the legacy and impact of the series and celebrating their years of hard work. “I got to take my helmet home and put it on my shelf in my office,” Merle Dandridge, better known as Chief Natasha Ross, said. “It squeezes my heart to hang up Chief Ross. She has taught me so much. The show has given me an extraordinary family, and I’ve been able to do things and talk about things I have never seen on television, and it’s been a terrific honor.”
As guests milled about in an open courtyard, having cocktails and hugging one another before going into the venue to dance the night away, Station 19 stars also revealed the special ways they had planned to commemorate the milestone.
Dandridge, the proud daughter of a half-Japanese and half-Korean mother and an African American father, said she was taking her mom to South Korea one more time; Stefania Spampinato was departing for Japan the next day. Others said they were just going to have a reset. “I’m going to rest,” Jaina Lee Ortiz, who played Andy Herrera, said. “I’m going to spend time with my puppy. I’m going to sunbathe. I’m going to see what’s next.” She, like others, called the experience bittersweet but tried to look to the positive. “There’s this freedom. With every ending, there’s a new beginning.”
After walking the carpet, cast members and the hundreds of crew people shuffled inside the venue for the main event. Projectors around the perimeter of the venue played video of fire burning against the Station 19 logo, and DJ Benjamin Walker played bops that had everyone shimmying and swaying to the music. Along with cocktails, guests were served treats via stations set up with fire and (dry) ice, and there was even a live karaoke band for the brave and adventurous to get onstage and channel their inner rock star.
Midway through, Station 19’s leaders — among them Shondaland executives and producers, as well as showrunners Clack and Paige — took to the stage to address the crowd. They did their best not to choke up as they spoke to the assembled crowd, speaking with heart and sincerity about all they’ve done and what it means.
“Our stories have been thoughtful, heartfelt, beautiful — all the things,” Clack told the crowd as they cheered. “Congratulations to everyone for the show, for your spirit, for your love. You have so much to be proud of.” She ended her speech with a rousing “Nineteen!” Guests shouted “Nineteen!” back, and they partied into the night.
