The role of Dr. Miranda Bailey in Grey's Anatomy was originally written as a short, blond Caucasian, but was changed after Chandra read for the part and nailed it.
Chandra Wilson won the 2007 SAG Award in the category of Best Actress in a Drama Series for Grey's Anatomy. Chandra also won an SAG Award as part of the Grey's Anatomy cast, which won Best Ensemble in a Drama Series in both 2007. The cast were nominated again in 2008.
Chandra was cast as the much older boss of Sandra Oh, Justin Chamber and Ellen Pompeo on Grey's Anatomy, however, in real life Chandra is only two years older than Sandra, a year older Justin, and only a little over two months older than Ellen.
Chandra's portrayal of Bonna Willis in the Broadway production of The Good Times are Killing Me by Lynda Barry won her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance.
Chandra has appeared in national television commercials for Blockbuster Video, Burger King, Scope, and the United Negro College Fund as well as numerous radio commercials.
Chandra: (on her guilty pleasure) I'm not ready to give them up. I watch everything on ABC and The Young and the Restless. When I get home I spend four hours every day watching. I've been doing it for 15 years.
Chandra: (accepting her award at the SAG) First of all, it's about those 10 cast members sitting over there, and the other one in rehab. I mean, y'all are just… holding me together. I thank you so much, 'cause we pull this thing off every week. I love you all for it.
Chandra: (whether she'd make a good doctor in real life) Not at all. I tell everyone, 'Don't come to me and ask me for any advice - you could die'. I would be good at the bedside-manner part. I'm good at holding hands and keeping things calm, but don't ask me to diagnose a thing.
Chandra(on herGreys Anatomycharacter, Miranda Bailey): As much as she doesn't want to admit to being human, she is very much so. She's a mother now and the strain that puts on you… It'll be an interesting challenge for her to see if she can continue to juggle that.
Chandra: (on hearing she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress forGreys Anatomyduring a promotional visit in Milan) I'm so happy for our show. My family is here so I got hugs right away, and the cast is here, so we're hugging on each other. Maybe we can go have a really expensive dinner.