There are certain doctors from past seasons of Grey’s Anatomy that we love to see return. Even if it’s just for one episode, we’ll take it!
One of those characters has returned a couple of times since leaving the halls for her own practice. Yes, it’s all about Kate Walsh’s Dr. Addison Montgomery. Originally introduced in the Grey’s Anatomy season 1 finale, we got to see Addison grow as a doctor, eventually leading to her getting her own spinoff, Private Practice.
Since the end of the series, she has returned to the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial, with her most recent return during Grey’s Anatomy season 19. Now it’s time for her to walk the halls once more.
Kate Walsh will return to Grey’s Anatomy in 2026
Variety has learned that Addison will be back. As of right now, she will be in one episode on Thursday, Jan. 29. Grey’s Anatomy is currently on its winter break, but will return on Thursday, Jan. 8.
There are no details of the plot for the episode, but the title is “Strip That Down.” When Addison has returned in the past, it’s been linked to a pregnancy storyline, as Addison is a renowned double board-certified OB/GYN, subspecializing in maternal-fetal medicine/fetal surgery. When she last returned, we learned that she had been doxed online due to pro-life protesters, and that put her safety and the safety of her husband and child in danger.
It's possible that Addison is in town to help with Jo Wilson’s situation. Her twins had to be delivered early by emergency C-section after Jo suffered heart issues while in labor. That’s where the Grey’s Anatomy season 22 fall finale left us, with Jo’s and her twins’ lives in the air, and if anyone can save them, it’s Addison.
Will Amelia return in time for Addison appearing on Grey’s Anatomy?
While Addison has a connection to many of the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, there is one character in particular we love to see her share a screen with. It’s all about her former sister-in-law, Amelia Shepherd, as Amelia was initially introduced on Private Practice.
Caterina Scorsone is currently taking a leave of absence from the series. It was written in as an eight-episode exit for budget reasons, and but unfortunately, it doesn't look like that will happen. Amelia exited at the end of episode 2, making the eighth episode of her exit as episode 10. That episode is the Thursday, Jan. 29 episode, so unless Amelia returns an episode early, even just at the end of to see Addison, we won't get to see them share a screen together.
With some hope, there will at least be a mention of Amelia. We have no idea where Amelia went while taking her sabbatical, but we can hope that she spent some time with her former sister-in-law and friend.
Grey’s Anatomy season 22 returns on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10/9c on ABC.