Elizabeth Finch, one of Grey’s Anatomy’s most high-profile writers, has been placed on administrative leave over concerns that elements of her personal journey – some of which she wrote for The Shonda Rhimes Show – were allegedly fabricated.
Sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Disney’s human resources and legal departments are conducting an internal investigation to determine whether elements such as her cancer diagnosis and abortion during chemo were inaccurate. Shondaland representatives did not immediately return calls and emails from THR. The Ankler previously reported that Disney had launched an investigation.
Finch has been a writer on Gray for many years and has written several episodes of the series for former showrunner Rhimes and current showrunner Krista Vernoff. She has also detailed her personal struggles in essays for publications such as Elle, Shondaland.com and THR, and has done several press rounds for episodes over the years that were ostensibly based on her own experiences.
Multiple sources tell THR that doubts about Finch’s identity arose after the writer cited a family emergency and left the writers’ room to deal with a family matter. When co-workers called Finch’s wife, Jennifer Beyer, the similarities to the story Finch told his co-workers matched Beyer’s. Beyer raised concerns with Disney and Shondaland executives, which resulted in Finch being placed on administrative leave. Finch and Beyer are said to be going through a “cruel divorce” right now, as one source described it.
“RS. Finch will not disclose her personal health matters. Likewise, she will not talk about her pending divorce from her ex-wife Jennifer Beyer or comment on any statements Ms Beyer may have made to third parties about Ms Finch Finch’s attorney, Andrew Brettler of Lavely & Singer, said in a statement to THR.
Many industry colleagues who have been friends with Finch for years tell THR they are overwhelmed by the rumors and no longer know what to believe, and cite the lack of “smoking guns” to illustrate their distrust. “You believe this poor woman went through this terrible ordeal and you want to support her,” said one of Finch’s longtime associates.
In addition to Grey’s Anatomy, Finch wrote The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.
Beyer representatives could not be contacted for comment. Representatives for ABC and Grey’s Anatomy’s ABC Signature declined to comment.
March 17, 8:36 PM PST: This story was supplemented by a statement from Finch’s lawyer.