This weeks official ABC podcast (24th April) for Grey's Anatomy was a break from the norm, featuring both the writer and director of the most recent episode "Sweet Surrender", rather than the usual pairing of creator Shonda Rhimes and executive producer Betsy Beers.

In the podcast, writer Sonay Washington and director Tony Phelan spoke about Izzie's battle with cancer, Katherine's performance and how realistic she wanted the portrayal of her characters health to be. They also revealed some amusing behind the scenes moments with the cast. Here are some brief transcripts from the podcast, but to check out the chat in full visit the official Grey's Anatomy website:

Sonay Washington: ...and this also ties in with Izzie, in Izzie not wanting to... to... surrender to the chemo, not wanting to give into the chemo which is why she has thrown herself into this wedding planning. It was fun...it was fun to see Katie get so into it (giggles)...

Tony Phelan: Oh yeah!

Sonay Washington: She was SO into the wedding planning, she was SO into faking and...

Tony Phelan: A lot...a lot of discussions went into what that room looked like and what was on the wall and how many dresses we should have....

Tony Phelan: ...and also how Izzie at the beginning of the day really finds ways to use her illness to get what she wants, to twist peoples arms and make them do what she wants... and then the great turn in the story is that then she really finds herself sick for the first time... really feeling and getting a window into what the rest of her struggle with this illness is gonna be.

Sonay Washington: Yeah

Tony Phelan: Ready to do our PSA?

Sonay Washington: Yes

Both: Wear sunscreen!

Sonay Washington: everyone out there....please...its very real

Tony Phelan: Malignant melanoma is no joke... wear sunscreen

Sonay Washington: and... I give... I give kudos to... to Katie because she said "I want to be sick, like don't put a lot of makeup on me, I want this to be as realistic as possible..." and here you have this gorgeous woman who is willing to do whatever it takes for the role... for this... for this part. I was just in awe of her the whole time.