Call It What It Is: Guest Anthony Hill

Podcast: Call It What It Is
Hosts: Jessica Capshaw & Camilla Luddington
Guest: Anthony Hill
Date: October 16, 2025
Episode Theme:
A wide-ranging, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation with Anthony Hill (Dr. Winston Ndugu on Grey’s Anatomy), covering stories from the set, wild Kansas City sports adventures, Taylor Swift encounters, acting career origins, the unique demands of medical TV, and the power of donuts, dogs, and authentic communication.

Main Discussion Points

1. Catching Up and Grey’s Anatomy Realities

• Taylor Swift Obsession & On-Set Camaraderie

  • Camilla’s pride in her endlessly-worn Taylor Swift shirt sets a playful, besties vibe (03:04).
  • The hosts reminisce about not doing the “math” on actors’ ages in Hollywood storylines regarding the show (Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1) (04:12).

• Leann Rimes, Character Names, and Show Myths

  • Debunking fan rumors about character relationships and the origins of the character "Blue" (04:33).
  • Camilla’s reflection: “I think we just stick with…let’s not do the math and just lean into the story” (04:33).

2. Introducing Anthony Hill (06:31)

• Multiple Auditions Before Landing a Role

  • Anthony and Camilla swap stories about auditioning for Grey’s Anatomy three times before it worked out (06:31–08:32).
  • Jessica: “Your story is that you didn’t book it at all. What are you talking…You didn’t even book a guest star” (07:39).

• How the Role of Winston Happened

  • Anthony was originally cast as a short-term love interest, not expecting to return after his standalone episode aired right before the pandemic shutdown (08:35–09:45).
  • “I thought it was a one and done, and I was okay with it because that was a fun experience…We always like validating our misery” – Anthony (09:19).

3. On-Screen Relationships and the “Winston” Arc

• Why Wasn’t Jo Invited to Winston & Maggie’s Wedding?
  “Maggie was in charge of the invites!” – Anthony (10:18)

• Single vs Married: Which Winston Works?

  • Both Jessica and Anthony like Winston better as a single, “fun guy…standing on his own.”
  • “I prefer him single. He’s a fun guy…he didn’t really get to fly [when married]” – Anthony (10:44)

• Wish for Winston’s Bad Boy Era (11:41)

  • Jessica’s pitch: “What if Winston is a slut?…We hadn’t had a bad boy on the show in a while.”

• Season Teasers & Chemistry on Set

  • Discussing near-kisses, slow-burn dynamics, and the fun, charged vibe between Winston & Jules at the end of the premiere (12:24–14:17).
  • Anthony: “The balance that we got with this slow burn with Winston and Jules…it is charged” (14:17).

• Filming Grueling Scenes

  • Behind-the-scenes of carrying Chris Carmack (“Link”) down the stairs—real, heavy, and sweaty (15:20–17:00).
  • “We were carrying that man. And he is…all muscle…and like, we were carrying him on this thing for like eight hours” – Anthony (15:30).
  • Camille: “Link lives another day” (15:19).

4. Anthony’s Kansas City Roots & Celebrity Connections (26:02+)

• Neighborhood of Stars

  • Anthony grew up around Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, and more.
  • Jessica: “That neighborhood is breeding actors” (26:39).

• The Paul Rudd/Taylor Swift/Super Bowl Party Story

  • Anthony’s incredible story about accessing the Chiefs’ afterparty thanks to Paul Rudd, being mobbed in a Vegas hotel, and brushing with Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce (28:42–35:00).
  • Quote: “Paul Rudd is pouring us a drink...Taylor's up there with Travis...Patrick [Mahomes] gets on the mic...Me and my buddy are just like, how the hell? This is phenomenal.” – Anthony (31:06).
  • Anthony getting “bug squished” by Taylor’s detail: “I got bug squished against the wall ruthlessly. No apologies.” (35:41).

• Kansas City Charity: The Big Slick

  • Anthony explains the annual Big Slick event, mixing celebrities, sports, and fundraising for pediatric cancer, and teases inviting Jessica and Camilla (32:13–34:10).

5. The Power of Dogs & Donuts (39:42)

• “Dogs and Donuts Can Save the World”

  • Anthony: “There's nothing better than a dog. I’m sorry...cats are great, but life is about balance.”
  • Even if he doesn’t own a dog (yet), he advocates for dogs and gourmet donuts (40:29).

• Donut Shop Allegiances

  • Krispy Kreme vs Dunkin’ debate; gourmet shout-out for Sidecar Donut (42:28).
  • Anthony: “Chocolate iced from Krispy Kreme…just never misses. They haven’t switched it up, and I appreciate that. Also, the texture is fire, but the flavors are hidden.” (43:33)

6. Characters vs. Real Life: Communication & Growth

• Winston’s Communication Struggles

  • Listener asks if Anthony shares Winston’s avoidance of tough conversations (44:32).
  • “I actually learned early on…that communication is extremely important or you’re going to be finding yourself in some serious trouble…It’s always an effort” – Anthony (44:41).
  • Panel reflects how bad communication is essential for drama on TV: “If we were all great communicators…there’d be no show!” – Jessica (46:31).

• Chief Aspirations?

  • “Could you see Winston being chief one day?”
  • Anthony: “Not right now, but…I would say one day would be interesting. With a little touch of gray” (47:00).

7. Behind the Scenes: Real Medical Training & Set Life

• Medical Research & Mistakes

  • On prepping to look like a real doctor and how the cast helps each other avoid common medical “faux pas” (like wearing the stethoscope backward) (55:27–56:43).
  • Anthony watched labrum repairs and colonoscopies for research – learning, “Always drink the flush fluid that they give you before [a colonoscopy]…If you don’t, there’s all kinds of stuff going on—colors and shapes…” (58:30).
  • “Those are the kind of pro tips we’re bringing to Call It What It Is!” – Jessica (59:32).

• On Mindset Returning from Hiatus

  • Anthony explains the challenge of snapping back into a confident, expert surgeon after a break (48:58–51:00).
  • “You gotta make it look like you’ve been doing it for years…[not] just fumbling around like an intern” – Anthony (50:46).

• Clothing Line Tease [61:00]

  • Anthony hints at launching a unique, artful, “avant-garde” clothing line: “It’s something you’ll wonder why you’ve never seen before, because it just works.” (61:10)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Not Doing Hollywood Math:
  “The math doesn’t math. We’re in Hollywood and we’re telling hyper-real stories…let’s not do the math” – Camilla (04:13)

• On Winston’s Single Era:
  “He didn’t really get to fly [when married]. He’s kind of flying a little now. I love that. It’s fun to play.” – Anthony (10:44)

• On Carrying Chris (Link):
  “And he is…all muscle…and like, we were carrying him on this thing for like eight hours.” – Anthony (15:30)

• Paul Rudd Super Bowl Rescue:
  “He comes across the lobby, and people start freaking out because it’s Paul Rudd…Security comes over, and he says, ‘There is a problem. This is Anthony Hill. He’s one of the stars of Grey’s Anatomy…’” – Anthony (30:36)

• Taylor Swift Security Encounter:
  “I got bug squished against the wall ruthlessly. No apologies. Nobody said anything.” – Anthony (35:41)

• On Donuts:
  “Krispy Kreme is so delicious…they don’t have to advertise. That’s how good they are.” – Anthony (41:28)

• On Communication:
  “I actually learned…communication is extremely important or you’re going to be finding yourself in some serious trouble…It’s always an effort” – Anthony (44:41)

• Colonoscopies Real Talk:
  “Always drink the flush fluid…If you don’t…there’s all kinds of stuff going on in there, colors and shapes and…things you can’t unsee.” – Anthony (58:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Welcoming Anthony/Set Stories: (06:31–09:45)
• Winston Character Discussion: (10:44–14:17)
• Premiere Episode Debriefs: (12:24–17:00)
• Kansas City & Celebrity Connections: (26:02–35:00)
• Paul Rudd & Super Bowl Party Story: (28:42–35:41)
• Dogs, Donuts, Comfort Food: (39:42–44:32)
• Communication & Winston/Anthony’s Real-life Lessons: (44:32–46:31)
• Medical Realism & Dr. Faux Pas: (55:27–58:30)
• Anthony’s Clothing Line: (61:00–61:46)

Tone, Style & Vibe

• Warm, irreverent, authentic, and full of behind-the-scenes goss & camaraderie.
• The hosts balance fan Q&A with honest actor discussion, peppered with self-deprecating humor (“I’m living the life of a showgirl”).
• Every guest feels like part of the inner circle.

Summary Takeaway

This episode pulls back the curtain on the surprisingly winding journeys of beloved characters—and the actors behind them—blending hilarious set mishaps and special celebrity stories with genuine insight into friendship, resilience, and what it takes to thrive in the “hyper-real” world of Hollywood dramas. Listeners get everything from advice about advancing communication, to wild tales of Taylor Swift security, to strong feelings about donut shop allegiances—and, perhaps, a subtle invitation to Kansas City’s next big charity bash.

Memorable Closing:
“Dogs, donuts, Taylor Swift…Colonoscopies…We’ve run the gamut!” – Camille (61:47)

Recommended For:
Anyone who loves Grey’s, behind-the-scenes TV stories, pop culture crossovers, or simply a dose of comfort and laughter from real-life friends who’ve seen—and carried—it all.