Grey’s Anatomy Has Finally Found Its Cristina Yang Replacement After 10 Years (2024)

With just 10 episodes, Grey's Anatomy season 20 hasn't had enough time to delve into each of its characters' nuanced lives outside of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Even so, one newly introduced surgeon has a lot of potential; after a decade, she may be the perfect replacement for Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Of course, no one can truly take Cristina's place: Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) and Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) have bonded with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) in a sisterly way, but they're hardly her "person." Still, Grey's Anatomy might have finally found a doctor with Cristina-like edge.

The most recent season of the long-running medical drama has seen the return of fan-favorite surgeon Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), though her appearance amounted to a one-off guest role, as well as the reassurance that Meredith isn't really gone. She may no longer work at Grey Sloan, but Pompeo has appeared in four of the installment's 10 episodes. There's clearly a lot of change happening as the series settles in with its latest batch of interns. Needless to say, Grey's Anatomy season 21 will need to invest in attendings and mentors who are just as compelling, which is why Natalie Morales' Dr. Monica Beltran feels like such a great fit.

Both Monica Beltran & Cristina Yang Are No-Nonsense Surgeons

Although she's the new attending pediatric surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Dr. Monica Beltran has only appeared in a handful of Grey's Anatomy season 20 episodes. For the most part, the series has portrayed her as someone who is both strong-willed and confident. Monica isn't argumentative for the sake of it, but because she knows her approach is solid. This kind of no-nonsense, stoic approach to the job echoes Cristina Yang's time on the show. While Dr. Yang certainly had a very personal drive to be at the top of her game, she (mostly) didn't let the white noise of workplace politics bleed into her work.

Monica Beltran may not be striving to earn Catherine Fox Awards, but she is clearly a top-of-her-game pediatric surgeon. So far, she hasn't gotten too involved with any of the hospital's endless drama. It seems like the writers of Grey's Anatomy are setting up an enemies-to-lovers romance between Monica and Amelia, who's extremely put off by Beltran's cool confidence when they first meet. Still, the focus on the fact that Beltran is a surgeon who doesn't let the private interfere with her work feels very akin to the series' treatment of Cristina.

Monica Beltran’s Mentor Approach Is A Refreshing Change Of Pace

Monica Isn't Interested In Coddling Levi In Grey's Anatomy Season 20, Episode 6

In Grey's Anatomy season 20, episode 6, Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli), co-chief resident at Grey Sloan, approaches Monica about writing him a recommendation. Realizing the deadline has passed, Levi pivots, suggesting Monica share her support verbally. When she asks Levi to catch her up to speed on why he wants to be a peds fellow, Levi runs through a laundry list of reasons. Namely, Dr. Webber suggested him for the position, he's been told he's good with children, and there's a dire need for more pediatric surgeons. While Monica calls his pursuits "noble," she rejects the offer to recommend Levi.

It's clear that Monica Beltran is open to taking residents and interns under her wing. She hasn't outwardly balked at the chance to teach or mentor anyone. At the same time, she holds her specialty — and the patients and families she serves — in high regard. As Grey's Anatomy has proven time and again, pediatric medicine isn't for the faint of heart. In the same way a mentor like Cristina Yang took Shane Ross' passion for cardio seriously, Beltran wants to sense that same level of enthusiasm from her students. Levi might have good reasons for wanting the fellowship, but that isn't enough.

Grey’s Anatomy’s Monica Isn’t Just A Cristina Copy

Beltran Is Still Very Different From Yang

Although it's hard to know what Cristina Yang is like in 2024, it's also clear that the Dr. Yang of yesteryear is different from Monica Beltran. While Cristina's desire to win awards was certainly tempered by the time Sandra Oh left the show, she never stopped wanting to be the very best surgeon. Monica doesn't necessarily exude that level of ambition, but the show has made multiple references to her being the best peds surgeon around. Of course, part of the issue is that viewers don't know a lot about Monica yet.

In episode 6, she sits outside the hospital and plays Candy Crush to decompress. Previously, she mentioned not having had a vacation for at least three years. Still, Grey's Anatomy season 20 hasn't given much insight into Monica Beltran's personal life or history. Likely, this is because season 20's smaller order of episodes really cuts into that time needed to flesh out supporting characters. For now, viewers can only glean things from Beltran's professional demeanor and workplace interactions. Unafraid to back down, Monica ultimately chooses to do what's most logical for her patients, just like Yang.

Natalie Morales’ Future On Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Isn’t Confirmed

The Actor Is Currently On The Morning Show Too

From directing feature films like Plan B and Language Lessons to making onscreen appearances in hit series like Dead to Me, The Morning Show, and Santa Clarita Diet, Natalie Morales seems to have a pretty packed schedule. Although Grey's Anatomy has been struggling to replace Justin Chambers' Alex Karev, there's no telling if Monica Beltran will stick around. Grey's Anatomy season 21 — a historic renewal for the record-setting series — has been green-lit, but Morales' involvement isn't certain. If anything, Monica Beltran deserves more of a chance to prove that she can fill the no-nonsense Cristina Yang void.

Grey's Anatomy

4.5

TV-14

Romance

Drama

A high-intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.

Cast

Ellen Pompeo , Chandra Wilson , James Pickens Jr. , Justin Chambers , Kevin McKidd , Jesse Williams , camilla luddington , Patrick Dempsey , Sara Ramirez , Jessica Capshaw , Sandra Oh , Kelly McCreary , Jake Borelli , Chyler Leigh , Eric Dane , Caterina Scorsone , Giacomo Gianniotti , Anthony Hill , Kate Walsh , Sarah Drew , Greg Germann , Martin Henderson , Katherine Heigl , T.R. Knight , Jerrika Hinton , Richard Flood , Kim Raver , Jason George , Tessa Ferrer , Isaiah Washington , Gaius Charles , Chris Carmack , Brooke Smith

Release Date

March 27, 2005

Seasons

21

Network

ABC

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Netflix

Writers

Shonda Rhimes , Julie Wong , Jen Klein , Tameson Duffy , Meg Marinis

Directors

Rob Corn , Kevin McKidd , Debbie Allen , Chandra Wilson , Allison Liddi-Brown , Jeannot Szwarc , Tony Phelan

Showrunner

Meg Marinis

Main Genre

Drama

Creator(s)

Shonda Rhimes , Michelle Lirtzman