‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Alum Jesse Williams Will be Next Seen in Hulu’s ‘Olga Dies Dreaming’

One of the most upsetting things at the end of Grey’s Anatomy season 17, was the revelation that the charismatic Dr. Jackson Avery was leaving Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The actor, Jesse Williams, who played Avery, left the show after being a part of it for 12 seasons. The questions about, what he would do next began as soon as his exit was announced. Those questions have now found an answer. 

Williams has joined the Hulu pilot Olga Dies Dreaming, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

What is ‘Olga Dies Dreaming’ About?

The drama is based on a novel by the same name. Written by Xochitl Gonzalez, an MFA candidate in fiction at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and an Iowa Arts Fellow, the book will be published in January 2022. 

The streaming service, Hulu, acquired the rights to the book and ordered the pilot of the show in April this year. 

Olga Dies Dreaming is the story of two Nuriyorkan siblings from a gentrifying Sunset Park, Brooklyn, reckoning with their absent, politically radical mother and their glittering careers among New York City’s elite in the wake of Hurricane Maria.  

The book, which will be Gonzalez’s debut work will be published in January 2022. Gonzalez adapting the novel for the pilot. She is also an Executive Producer on the show along with Alfonso Gomez-Rejon who will direct the pilot.

Who else stars in the show?

The show will be led by Aubrey Plaza and Ramon Rodriguez, as brother and sister in the show. 

The Parks and Recreation actor will play the titular role of Olga who is a wedding planner in Brooklyn. Her professional success though masks her the hints of a dark past. To cope with the memories of her past, Olga has immersed herself in her work, seeking compulsive perfection. But no matter how higher up the ladder she climbs, a nagging feeling that the elite society she serves doesn’t see her as an equal, leaves her dissatisfied.

Ramon Rodriguez plays Olga’s brother Prieto in the show. He is a Congressman who presents himself as the best person to fix everything that is broken, but that mirrors his life as the man of the family since he was a boy. He wears his Puerto Rican identity proudly and pretends to be fine even though he is lonely. But he upholds the facade. 

The story sheds light on the LatinX identity and experience in the U.S.

What is Williams’ role in the show?

The Little Fires Everywhere actor returns to Hulu as Matteo Jones. A proud Brooklyn native collects music, objects, trivia, and opinions. He may come across as a know it all but is genuinely curious about everything. He knows that people try to put everyone and everything into boxes and he is committed to staying out of the box.

This is Williams’ first acting role on TV after he left Grey’s Anatomy this May. The actor also has a Broadway production slated for next year along with a few movies like Jerry Bruckheimer’s Secret Headquarters. 

While it won’t be until next year that Williams will appear on screen or on stage, loyal Avery fans will wait to see Williams back.