Sandra Oh’s Metropolitan Opera debut marks a groundbreaking moment as the Emmy-winning actress transitions from television screens to the world’s most prestigious opera stage. The Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress known for Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve makes her Met debut as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in Laurent Pelly’s production of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment on October 17.
From Television Icon to Opera House Debut
The Canadian-American actress’s journey to the Metropolitan Opera stage represents more than just a career pivot—it symbolizes the evolution of classical arts embracing contemporary talent. Oh’s opera debut comes after her acclaimed performances in Shakespeare in the Park’s Twelfth Night, where she performed alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Peter Dinklage and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Her first foray on the Metropolitan Opera stage was the result of a happy accident: the storied institution’s general manager offered her the role after seeing her perform Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in the open-air theater in Central Park this summer. This serendipitous casting represents a full-circle moment for Oh, who has deep theatrical roots despite her television fame.
The Role That Launched an Opera Career
In Donizetti’s beloved comic opera La Fille du Régiment, Oh plays the Duchess of Krakenthorp, who reluctantly marries off her son. The role is spoken rather than sung—and in French. This particular role has historically been filled by distinguished guest stars from outside the opera world, creating a prestigious tradition that Oh now joins.
Previous performers in the role at the Met have included Kathleen Turner, Marian Seldes, and Bea Arthur. The Duchess of Krakenthorp is a speaking role that allows Oh to bring her considerable dramatic skills to the opera without requiring the years of vocal training typically necessary for opera performance.
Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Opera’s Grand Stage
Oh says she finds herself “amazed” by the magic of the stage as she readies for her operatic debut. “She’s very stern and she’s very angry, and I find it very, very difficult to keep that face when the most beautiful music is happening right in front of me,” Oh says with a laugh during an interview after Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
The transition from television and film acting to opera presents unique challenges. On the wide stage, the actress herself more than holds her own. Far from the subtlety required before a camera, her powerful voice and exaggerated gestures fill the space—and draw peals of laughter. Oh acknowledges the adjustment required, noting that theatrical gestures must be amplified for the grand opera house setting.
What surprised her most was the “crazy” pace of the production, at odds with the “slow or gentle” way audiences experience opera: “You have sets that are moving all the time, people who are just coming, and you have people who are telling you exactly where to be all the time. And while it is divine, it’s bananas,” she said.
A Personal Journey to the Met
The Metropolitan Opera debut holds special significance for Oh beyond professional achievement. In a post on Instagram, the Golden Globe and Emmy winner reminisced about her first time visiting the iconic venue for a Juilliard audition, highlighting the full circle moment: “The first time I came here, right on this spot was in 1989/90. I auditioned for Juilliard (didn’t even get a callback)… Now coming to rehearsal for my Met Opera debut is surreal.”
Although most fans know Oh for her work on Grey’s Anatomy, Killing Eve and other television and film roles, she referred to herself as a “merciless theatre kid” in a March interview. “I joined improv [and] I was in every school production,” she said. “Drama is such a great place for people to find their tribe. You know what I mean? And I found mine very early.”
The Production and Cast
La Fille du Régiment features an exceptional cast alongside Oh’s debut performance. The company said that “La Fille du Régiment” is set to star Erin Morley in her Met role debut as Marie, Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio, Alice Coote as the Marquise of Berkenfield, and Peter Kálmán. Conductor Giacomo Sagripanti leads the orchestra.
Set during the Napoleonic Wars at the beginning of the 19th century, La fille du régiment is about a young orphan girl who is raised by a regiment of the French army. The opera, composed by Gaetano Donizetti and premiered in 1840, remains one of the most beloved works in the bel canto repertoire.
“La Fille du Régiment” has been performed 116 times at the Met since its company premiere on January 6, 1902. The opera opens on Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 12, 2025.
Drawing New Audiences to Opera
Sandra Oh’s entrance on stage—in a purple gown, her hair adorned with feathers, and waving a fan—drew cheers and excited shouts from New York schoolchildren invited to the dress rehearsal. This enthusiastic reception highlights the potential for celebrity casting to introduce new audiences to opera.
Oh brings with her a devoted fanbase of 5.3 million Instagram followers; her announcement post with the Met drew over 18,000 likes in just 24 hours. For many of her fans, this won’t just be their first visit to the Met, it may be their first experience with opera entirely.
There’s little doubt that the presence of a bona fide small screen star at the Met will attract a larger audience than usual—a boon for an institution struggling financially since the Covid pandemic and eager to modernize its programming.
The Broader Impact on Opera’s Future
Oh’s casting represents more than celebrity stunt casting—it signals a strategic approach to making opera more accessible and relevant. She embodies the idea that opera can be excellent and accessible at the same time. And in 2025, accessibility is not optional—it’s the only way forward.
Oh reflects: “To move into a stage this grand, and to move into the heights of what opera is, and really it’s to be in rehearsal with some of the greatest artists…is something that’s very, very rare”. Her appreciation for the artform and willingness to embrace its challenges demonstrates the mutual benefit of cross-disciplinary collaboration in the arts.
The actress expresses hope that her presence will encourage diverse audiences to experience opera’s unique storytelling power. Oh is delighted by the prospect of these youngsters and her fans to “see the opera and to experience what storytelling is in a grand scale, what music is, and to see the top artists in the world”.
A New Chapter in an Illustrious Career
Sandra Oh’s Metropolitan Opera debut represents the latest evolution in a career defined by boundary-breaking performances and fearless artistic choices. From her breakthrough role in Sideways to her iconic television performances, Oh has consistently chosen projects that challenge both herself and audiences’ expectations.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Sandra Oh started ballet lessons at the age of four and appeared in her first musical play, The Canada Goose, at the age of ten. She started working professionally at age 15 in television, theater, and commercials. This early foundation in performing arts now finds its fullest expression on the Metropolitan Opera stage.
Her opera debut also demonstrates the continuing relevance of live theater and classical arts in an increasingly digital entertainment landscape. As audiences emerge from the pandemic era hungry for shared cultural experiences, Oh’s presence at the Met symbolizes the enduring power of live performance to create community and transcend traditional boundaries.
The run of La Fille du Régiment continues through November 12, 2025, offering multiple opportunities for audiences to witness this historic debut and experience the magic that has captivated Oh herself throughout the rehearsal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role is Sandra Oh playing in her opera debut?
Sandra Oh is making her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment. The role is spoken rather than sung and is performed in French.
When and where is Sandra Oh’s opera debut taking place?
Sandra Oh’s Metropolitan Opera debut takes place on October 17, 2025, and the production runs through November 12, 2025, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
How did Sandra Oh get cast in this opera?
Oh’s casting was the result of a happy accident: the Metropolitan Opera’s general manager offered her the role after seeing her perform Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in Central Park’s Shakespeare in the Park summer series.
Has Sandra Oh performed in opera before?
No, this marks Sandra Oh’s first opera performance. Oh is making her Met debut as the Duchess of Krakenthorp, though she has extensive theater experience and described herself as a “merciless theatre kid” in her youth.
What is La Fille du Régiment about?
La Fille du Régiment is an opéra comique that follows Marie, a foundling child who was raised by a regiment of soldiers. When her aunt, the Marquise of Berkenfeld, discovers Marie, she is appalled to see the military manners with which her niece has been brought up. The opera is set during the Napoleonic Wars at the beginning of the 19th century.
Will Sandra Oh be singing in the opera?
No, Sandra Oh’s role as the Duchess of Krakenthorp is spoken rather than sung, and she performs her lines in French. This allows her to contribute her dramatic acting skills without requiring extensive vocal training typically needed for opera singing roles.