In the lead up to its 18th season, medical drama Grey’s Anatomy has well and truly stood the test of time. Now in an extremely exciting announcement for fans, one of the series’ original and most beloved characters will return to the screen. Viewers would recall the somewhat short-lived performance of Kate Walsh and her portrayal of Dr. Addison Montgomery in the early seasons. Well, she’s back!
The actress made her debut in the finale of season one in 2005 before she left in season three to receive a lead role in the spinoff series, Private Practice. While she occasionally made a cameo at Grey Sloane Memorial Hospital across the years, her next appearance is set to form a multi-episode arc. ABC, the studio behind the series, has confirmed the news but didn’t detail her involvement.
How will Montgomery respond to returning to the hospital her ex-fiancé Derek Shepard (sorry, spoilers)? We can’t wait to find out.
It’s official!! @katewalsh — aka Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery — is coming home and my heart is so so so happy ❤️❤️❤️ #GreysAnatomy pic.twitter.com/xS2Z1XJIV3
— shondaland tv (@shondaland) September 3, 2021
Walsh celebrated her return to the silver screen on Instagram where she published a TikTok-style video. “It’s really happening,” she wrote. “Dr. Addison Montgomery will see you shortly 🩺💅 #GreysAnatomy @GreysABC @EllenPompeo @Shondaland.”
We last left Grey’s Anatomy at the end of season 17 where Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) faded between life and death due to COVID-19. Old characters that had been killed off or otherwise left the series returned for short appearances. This included Derek (Patrick Dempsey), her husband; her friend George (T.R. Knight); and her sister Lexie (Chyler Leigh).
In 2020, Pompeo admitted in an interview that she wasn’t sure when the series would end, noting that it could be soon.
“We don’t know when the show is really ending yet,” Pompeo told Variety. “But the truth is, this year could be it.”
Even after season 18 was announced, the ABC refused to reveal whether it was to be the last one. What will happen next? The series will return on September 30 so stay tuned.
