Former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington will host a new travel-cooking show for Fox News’ year-old streaming service Fox Nation, TheWrap has learned.
The actor, who famously was booted from the ABC medical drama in 2007 after using a gay slur in a confrontation with a castmate, will travel the country to cook and eat with a mix of celebrities and everyday people while they discuss current events.
The untitled show, which has no premiere date set, will follow Washington as he cook meals with everyday Americans and celebrities inside their own kitchens. While cooking dishes from their family recipes, guests will chat about their cultures, traditions and the 2020 election.
Finley explained that the show came about after Washington gave a “wildly popular” Fox Nation interview in September about his decision not to identify with a political party. Following that interview, Finley said actor came to Fox Nation with “an idea for a talk show.”
Still it’s an interesting choice for the right-leaning Fox News subscription service since Washington has been an outspoken activist about issues relating to police brutality, “America’s broken judicial system that is oppressing” people of color.
He was one of numerous Hollywood players who in 2015 condemned Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act — backed by Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of the state — because they feared it would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ customers based on religious objections. “For the religious right to circle the wagon and think they can do that, it’s absurd,” he told TheWrap in 2015.
Washington is no stranger to issues involving the LGBT community. After his ouster from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Washington issued a statement apologizing for his “unfortunate” on-set language and went on to champion LGBT issues. He was instrumental is getting the gay-themed feature film “Blackbird” made.