‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Giacomo Gianniotti Reveals His Feelings About His ‘Dirty Little Secret’

Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 returned on March 11, 2021, with a shocking ending for actor Giacomo Gianniotti. The 31-year-old Italian-Canadian actor portrayed Andrew DeLuca on the series for six years since season 11. However, his “dirty little secret” is out, and fans are heartbroken. 

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Grey’s Anatomy Season 17, Episode 7]

How did Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) die on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?

When Grey’s Anatomy returned on March 11, Andrew DeLuca was rushed to the hospital after a man stabbed him. What fans who did not watch Station 19 might have missed is DeLuca and his sister, Carina DeLuca (Stefania Spampinato), chasing the human trafficker who kidnapped two teenage girls in the last episode. 

Throughout the entire episode of Station 19, the DeLuca siblings pursued Opal (Stephanie Kurtzuba). Right before the police finally arrested the suspected human trafficker, a man bumped into DeLuca and stabbed him.

When Grey’s Anatomy began, DeLuca arrived at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) rushed him into surgery and saved his life. However, when Owen went to check on him later, DeLuca began bleeding out. The doctors frantically tried to resuscitate him for over 40 minutes. 

Meanwhile, DeLuca spoke to Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), who was also unconscious. They spent time chatting on the same beach where Meredith talked to Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and George O’Malley (T. R. Knight). DeLuca sees his mother calling to him and tells Meredith he needs to “go.” Back at the hospital, the surgeons pronounce Andrew DeLuca dead.

Giacomo Gianniotti reveals his feelings on Andrew DeLuca dying

When the Grey’s Anatomy actor found out that Andrew DeLuca was going to die, he called it a “dirty little secret.” Giacomo Gianniotti spoke to Deadline about the death of his character.

“In the beginning, it was strange,” he told the outlet. “I felt like I had this dirty little secret because none of my cast members — or really anyone on set — knew about this. It was very, very internal between Krista and Debbie Allen and I and some of the key producers and writers. As we got closer to the date, then the rest of the cast was informed, and yeah, then it was emotional because then I felt that the secret was out.”

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ cast was ‘very sad’ about Gianniotti leaving

In the same interview, Giacomo Gianniotti added that everyone was “very sad” when they found out that DeLuca would die.

“I’ve been working with all of these people for seven seasons now,” he explained. “Sometimes we joke about how we spend more time with each other than we do our families. Before Covid, we used to do 12 hours a day before 10. We spent a lot of time with each other, and so, although it’s a beautiful experience. I’m happy to be leaving in this way, and the story we get to tell is so beautiful, and I think it’s going to help a lot of people; I’m obviously sad to leave all my great, dear friends.”