Jaina Lee Ortiz (Grey’s Anatomy Station 19): “Andy has the right to sleep with whoever she wants!”

Season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy: Station 19 began on June 19 on TF1. The opportunity to take stock with Jaina Lee Ortiz, who plays Andy in the series, met during the Monte Carlo Television Festival. The actress talks to us about her relationship with the series Grey’s Anatomy, her preparation for her role but also her opinion on Andy’s behavior.
Jaina Lee Ortiz: I was really excited. I wasn’t nervous yet because I hadn’t read a script yet and I didn’t know what my role would be. When I was hired, I didn’t yet know that Station 19 would be a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off. This was only decided later. When I found out, I felt the pressure build. I could only hope to experience the same success as Grey’s Anatomy.

Were you a fan of Grey’s Anatomy and who was your favorite character in the series?

I loved the character of Bailey (played by Chandra Wilson) from the start of the series. Then I really liked Christina (Sandra Oh). But I stopped watching the series after the seventh season. I realized then that I had to do something with my life. I had to get off my couch and find a job. I was a beginning actress with no work at the time. It was time for me to stop binge-watching series on TV.

Did you meet real firefighters to prepare for your role?

I worked and trained with real firefighters. I even met two female captains. I passed the physical tests required to become a firefighter. I wanted to know if I could do it physically. It was incredibly hard. It’s definitely the most physically difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone! You should also know that it is a profession where you can die during each intervention. I deeply respect everyone who does this work. They are superheroes.

Did the series have an impact on young women’s desire to become firefighters?
In his series, strong and independent women who succeed in their professional lives.

Krista Vernoff will become the star of Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19. She announces numerous crossovers between the two series. Do you think this is a good idea?

Why not ? But we must not drown viewers with too many crossovers, because some are not necessarily fans of the two series. But I trust Krista. She knows what she’s doing. Why not interweave the two series more deeply if it makes for better stories.

Your character Andy has complicated relationships with men…

We could define Andy according to his choices in the men’s department. However, this does not completely define it. She’s still lost and doesn’t really know where she’s going when it comes to love.

(Beware of spoilers at the end of season 2!!!). At the end of season 2, she will be in an intimate relationship with her superior. This must be really weird. I hope she learns from this situation and understands what she wants. It’s true that she slept around, which I don’t really like. But I don’t want to judge her. When a man does this, no one has a problem. She has the right to sleep with whoever she wants. She will make mistakes, but she will learn from these experiences.