“Had to make it real”: Grey’s Anatomy actor Morales opens up about filming first on-screen death 

Grey’s Anatomy has seen countless deaths at the Grey Sloan Memorial, but this one hit a bit different. When Natalie Morales’s Dr. Monica Beltran met her tragic end in the Season 22 premiere, fans were left stunned.

For Morales, who had never filmed a death scene before, it was also a learning curve. In an interview conducted via Deadline on October 9, 2025, she said,

“Maybe my mouth would be hanging open, but I don’t know that I want to do that on television, so I had to make it real, but not too...”

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How Morales played out Monica’s final death scene in the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy Season 22

Morales’s first on-screen death was more about staying honest to the medical realism that Grey’s Anatomy is known for. As she explained to Deadline, she worked closely with medical advisors Michael Metzner and Linda Klein to portray the exact point of Monica’s decline.

She said;

“For me, it was really important to play it honestly from a medical perspective...”

Morales wanted fans of Grey’s Anatomy to understand the why and when of her character’s death, not just feel the sadness of it.

Filming wasn’t nearly as comfortable as it looked. Pinned beneath heavy surgical equipment for two days straight, she admitted that:

“It wasn’t as comfortable as you would think.”

Still, Morales found something fascinating in the technicality of it all while balancing the realism that comes along with such scenes in particular. She practiced her “death face,” she revealed with humor, explaining that while a truly lifeless face might look unflattering, she wanted it to stay authentic without being unsettling for viewers. She said:

“It was interesting from a technical point of view...I had to make it real, but not too.”

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Saying goodbye to Dr. Monica Beltran on Grey’s Anatomy

When Morales first got the call to return for Grey’s Anatomy Season 22, she already suspected her character’s fate.

She said:

“Because the hospital blew up, I thought there’s a big cast on this show, they have to get rid of somebody...”

But hearing showrunner Meg Marinis confirm Monica’s death still struck an emotional chord. “It was obviously a mix of things,” Morales shared.

“I feel very grateful to have been part of it. I think the fandom has been so kind and welcoming.”

Her respect for Marinis and the writing team softened the blow.

“Although I’m sad about it, it really works for the story.”

The moment fans realized Monica had died, only when Jules turned around, was deliberate. Director Debbie Allen shot multiple versions, but Morales was glad the episode aired as written. “It’s a better surprise that way,” she said. The shock mirrored how life at Grey Sloan often works. It's unexpected, sudden, and human.

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Natalie Morales’s time on Grey’s Anatomy may have ended, but her portrayal of Dr. Monica Beltran left a quiet legacy. A legacy built on realism, grace, and authenticity.

From learning how to die on camera to ensuring Monica’s final act felt true to her character, Morales made her mark in a series known for emotional farewells. In her words, she truly “had to make it real,” and she did it beautifully.

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