Kate Walsh says her return to Grey’s Anatomy was a fever dream. Created by Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy debuted on ABC in 2005 and is hailed as the longest-running medical drama in television history. Starring Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, the series has witnessed the introduction and exit of numerous characters during its run. Introduced in the season 1 finale, Addison Montgomery Shepherd, a neonatal surgeon and Derek’s wife, quickly became a fan favorite. After three seasons, Addison left Seattle for Los Angeles, and Walsh starred in the successful spin-off, Private Practice.
Most recently, Grey’s Anatomy season 17 tackled the coronavirus pandemic and featured the return of original characters in a dream-like sequence as Meredith battled the effects of the virus. These include Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, and Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey. In September, Grey’s Anatomy kicked off season 18, which takes place in a post-pandemic world. So far, season 18 has boosted its cast list with Scott Speedman being added as a series regular, and Kate Burton reprising her role as Ellis Grey. Recently, Walsh returned as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the episode titled “Hotter Than Hell.” Now, the actress opens up about her highly-anticipated return.
Per Variety, Walsh revealed that her Grey’s Anatomy return is like a “fever dream,” and seems like a success among fans. Speaking on Addison’s emotional reunion with Meredith and closure about Derek’s death, Walsh says the writing of “Hotter Than Hell” was “so beyond,” and showcased the genius of writer Jamie Denbo and the writing team. Walsh also teased her upcoming episode, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” and revealed Addison will reconnect with Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), as well as disclose updates on Addison’s life. Check out what Walsh said about Addison’s upcoming episode:
The second episode is a little more contained, and you really see Addison and Amelia’s dynamic play out and their reconnecting. That was a total delight for me, and I think fans will enjoy that, as well. It’s a completely different kind of episode than the first one, but intensely intimate and satisfying.
Furthermore, Walsh shared that she spoke with Dempsey before her return. Walsh said Dempsey reflected on his Grey’s Anatomy resurrection and said to expect her return “to be so intense,” but added that it would provide closure after years of being away from the medical drama. Indeed, Addison’s reentrance seems to have marked a successful story arc in the show’s history. For now, Grey’s Anatomy season 18 appears to be off to a riveting start, and Walsh is expected to appear as Addison in more episodes.
As for Grey’s Anatomy, it remains to be seen when the show will sign off. Overall, the series continues to revolve around Meredith Grey, and it can be expected that the cast will continue to make alterations and bring back original characters as long as the series remains on the air. For now, longtime fans can enjoy Addison’s poise, astute observation, and expertise being a strong presence in the halls of the hospital. Indeed, Grey’s Anatomy continues to make an impact on its devoted audience.