'Anatomy of Lies': Wild tale behind the 'Grey's Anatomy' imposter
In 2022, Elisabeth Finch, a writer for the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy, was accused of fabricating significant aspects of her personal life. The allegations included false claims about a rare bone cancer diagnosis, an abortion due to treatment, and the loss of a kidney. Some of these fabrications were even incorporated into the show's plotlines. A three-part docuseries titled Anatomy of Lies, set to premiere on October 15 on Peacock, will delve into these falsehoods.
Docuseries to focus on Finch's estranged wife who exposed her
Anatomy of Lies is directed by Vanity Fair contributing editor Evgenia Peretz and documentary filmmaker David Schisgall. The series is set to explore the intricate web of lies spun by Finch over nearly a decade, focusing on her estranged wife, Jennifer Beyer, who exposed her deceit. Beyer, a registered nurse and mother of five, met Finch in 2019 at an Arizona mental health treatment center.
Beyer's personal trauma used in 'Grey's Anatomy'
Beyer had recently escaped an abusive 18-year marriage and was suffering from severe PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). Finch was receiving treatment under the alias Jo, a Grey's Anatomy character she was researching. After marrying Finch in 2020, Beyer discovered that her wife had been using her past trauma for Jo's storylines on Grey's Anatomy, while claiming elements of Beyer's traumatic past as her own.
Peretz's journey of uncovering the truth
Peretz was tipped off about Finch's potential deception by a former Grey's Anatomy writer. She then met Beyer and spent two months conducting intensive reporting to uncover the truth behind Finch's lies. This investigation resulted in a two-part story published in Vanity Fair, titled "Scene Stealer," which became one of the magazine's most-read stories of 2022 and led to Finch's departure from Grey's Anatomy.
Finch's lawyer questioned Beyer's credibility
In response to the allegations, Finch's legal representative, Andrew Brettler, questioned Beyer's credibility, citing their ongoing "highly contentious divorce." However, in an interview with The Ankler, Finch admitted to lying about her cancer diagnosis. "I told a lie when I was 34 years old and it was the biggest mistake of my life," she said adding, "It just got bigger and bigger and bigger and got buried deeper and deeper inside me."
Finch and Shonda Rhimes declined to participate in the docuseries
Despite multiple attempts by Peretz, Finch has not participated in the documentary and has had no direct contact with her. Grey's Anatomy creator and Shondaland figurehead Shonda Rhimes also declined to participate in both the original story and the docuseries. Peretz believes that "Shondaland wanted this story to go away" but she hopes that the docuseries will do justice to those affected by Finch's fabrications.
