CHANDRA WILSON - WILSON BEAT THE ODDS TO LAND GREY'S ROLE

Actress CHANDRA WILSON was shocked when she landed the role of militant character DR. MIRANDA BAILEY on hit show GREY'S ANATOMY - because the casting notice called for a "short, white, blonde female". The African-American actress showed up for the New York audition, even though she didn't look anything like the character she was hoping to play - but was convinced she had nothing to lose. Wilson says of her experience reading for the role, "I knew (Dr. Bailey) was called the 'Nazi' and had to deal with her demeanour… so I went in with that. It wasn't going to be for me. And, low and behold, I was doing the pilot (episode)."