Callie Torres

Calliope Iphigenia "Callie" Torres, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the ABC in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by Sara Ramirez. Introduced in Season 2 as a senior orthopedic resident, Torres initially serves as a love interest for intern George O'Malley (T. R. Knight). She eventually becomes an attending orthopedic surgeon and was originally contracted as a recurring character, but received star-billing in Season 3. Torres was first conceived as a romantic interest, and eventual wife, for O'Malley, and was intentionally created to be somewhat disliked by her colleagues. Over time, her character developed deeper storylines, including relationships with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), cardiothoracic surgeon Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith), and pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), whom she later marries. Her bisexual relationships with O'Malley, Hahn, and Robbins, and her character's development throughout the series, garnered widespread critical acclaim. Torres became one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ characters in television history, appearing in 11 seasons and a total of 239 episodes. Ramirez's portrayal of Torres was highly praised by television critics, and the character grew significantly in popularity as the series progressed. Ramirez received nominations for several awards for their portrayal, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and the ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Television Series. In 2013, AfterEllen.com ranked Torres #7 on their list of "Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters". At the end of Season 12, Ramirez departed from the show after 10 years, citing a desire to take a break and pursue other opportunities.