In March, Shonda Rhimes celebrates the 20th anniversary of founding her production company, launching it alongside Grey’s Anatomy on ABC. At the time, she never imagined the weight the name would carry in the industry. “I thought it was humorous: Disneyland, Shondaland,” she reflects on the studio that has since produced twelve series, including successes like How to Get Away With Murder, Scandal, and Bridgerton. “Now, I feel a sense of pride because it shows I trusted in myself.”
Over these twenty years, Rhimes transformed from a shy writer into a prominent and highly paid figure in television. She has delivered a viral TED talk, authored a bestseller, forged numerous brand partnerships, and made a groundbreaking move from Disney to Netflix that greatly impacted the TV landscape. In early March, she and her creative partner, Betsy Beers, connected virtually to reflect on two decades at Shondaland, discussing both the triumphs and the challenges, including a significant incident that almost jeopardized their company.
Reflecting on Nostalgia
What do you miss about Shondaland’s early days?
SHONDA RHIMES: Grey’s was my debut in television, so everything felt fresh and magical—I long for that feeling. The constant learning was also special, something that Betsy and I discuss frequently.
BETSY BEERS: I miss our early collaboration. Now that we’ve expanded, we have less time together. In those initial days, it felt like it was just the two of us against the world, which created a unique bond despite its loneliness.
Challenges of Early Fame
SHONDA RHIMES: I have described the early public attention as “traumatic,” and it truly was.
Why?
RHIMES: It was overwhelming. I recall attending upfronts in New York and needing to leave after reading a piece about myself. I felt genuine panic because I didn’t grasp the leverage of television at that time. It was my first show, and witnessing its explosion was disorienting for both me and the cast. Everyone dealt with it differently.
And amidst the drama of those days—like Isaiah Washington’s on-set incident—it appeared you were still navigating leadership.
RHIMES: That was not a challenge I anticipated. I expected my partners would handle those issues while I focused on writing, but soon learned that, as the creative lead, others looked to me for guidance. Becoming a good leader took time.
Evolution and Insights
During a past interview, Oprah remarked that you seemed “not to be having fun.” How did that resonate with you?
RHIMES: I was relieved as it made me feel understood. I often played a role to fit others’ perceptions, feeling lost until she acknowledged that I was indeed struggling and not enjoying the experience. It was comforting to know someone recognized my challenges.
How about now? What’s next for Shonda and Betsy?
BEERS: Ideally, a comedy is on the horizon. I’ve always wanted to tackle a western as well; those are my long-held ambitions.
And looking ahead, what do you envision for Shondaland two decades from now?
RHIMES: I confidently assert that we’ve changed television’s landscape, and I aspire to make an even greater impact in the next twenty years.
