Grey’s Anatomy is known for killing off beloved characters, and an episode in season 19 made the fate of Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) uncertain. Addison is a fan-favorite character, though she did not always start out that way. When Addison is first introduced in Grey’s Anatomy season 1, episode 9 “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”, she is positioned as a villain who gets in the way of the relationship between Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). But Addison eventually shows layers and complexity and became such a popular character that she even left Grey’s Anatomy to star in her own spinoff, Private Practice, which lasted for six seasons.
A renowned neonatal surgeon, Addison Montgomery is one of the most skilled doctors on Grey’s Anatomy. Addison has a strong moral code and will break protocol if she feels it is best for her patients. She is also passionate about women’s rights, and in Grey’s Anatomy season 19, she returns to the show to help teach OB/GYN and advocacy fellows about clinical abortion care with Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). In a scary moment on the show, protests about reproductive care put Addison’s life in danger, and while many feel Addison Montgomery can’t be killed off Grey’s Anatomy, it looked like she might not survive.
Addison Montgomery Does Not Die In Grey’s Anatomy
Because of her work providing abortion care with a mobile clinic, pro-life protestors begin to target Addison Montgomery in Grey’s Anatomy. Her arrival in Seattle makes it difficult for the Elena Bailey Memorial Clinic for Reproductive Health to stay open, but she is determined to continue with her job. At the end of Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 11 “Training Day,” a protestor drives through the crowd and targets Addison and Tia (Jess Gabor), a pregnant clinical resident. Addison tries to pull Tia away from the speeding car, but they are both hit, though Tia more directly. But the next episode reveals that Addison is alive after the accident.
Because Addison was only clipped by the car, she only suffers a mild shoulder injury. In Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 12 “Pick Yourself Up,” Addison insists that the doctors focus on saving Tia, who survives as well after having multiple emergency surgeries. Addison trying to save Tia from the car at the protest shows that in times of crisis, she will always do what she can to help others, even if it is to the detriment of her own career or life.
Will Addison Montgomery Return To Grey’s Anatomy?
Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy as a full-time cast member, Walsh has appeared as a guest star in multiple seasons, and was a recurring character in seasons 18 and 19, with Addison Montgomery’s latest appearance in Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 16 “Gunpowder and Lead”. Grey’s Anatomy season 20 is confirmed, but Walsh is not officially slated to appear as Addison yet.
However, because Addison’s most recent exit on Grey’s Anatomy was not definitive, and with her presence in the past two seasons, there is a strong chance she will return at some point in Grey’s Anatomy season 20. In addition to being one of the most popular Grey’s Anatomy characters, Addison’s medical profession is timely in regard to the political landscape surrounding abortion rights. Grey’s Anatomy has been known to reflect societal issues, and it would make sense to bring Addison back similarly to how she appeared in season 19.