We’re still a few months away from Grey’s Anatomy’s return to the 2026 TV schedule, but with the cast back at work (most of them at least), my excitement has officially started to bubble up. We know there will be some faces missing when Season 23 premieres, with Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver saying their goodbyes in the Season 22 finale, but we can always expect to see a familiar face or two. I’m hoping Kate Walsh will be one of them, but what did the actress have to say?
Kate Walsh was one of several former series regulars to drop into Grey’s Anatomy’s 22nd season, as Addison Montgomery took a trip to Seattle to reconnect with Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and get her former sister-in-law’s help with a patient. Walsh sat down with Woman’s World to speak about what’s next for McDreamy’s ex-wife, and when asked if we’ll see her again soon, she said:
I’m always open if there’s something for me to do there. The steadiness of that show and being able to check in with this finite structure—beginning, middle and an end, a case, and things get solved. There’s always romance and drama and people. It’s very delightful.
It doesn’t sound like Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Meg Marinis has anything planned for Kate Walsh in the immediate future — unfortunately, for Addison stans like myself — but it’s good to know that the actress is keeping the door open.
It’s actually great that Kate Walsh wants to be selective about her Grey’s Anatomy appearances, because longtime fans think it’s a pretty big deal when she shows up (given her epic introduction in the Season 1 finale, she’s got a consistently high bar to reach). Waiting for the right story ensures Dr. Montgomery remains a fan favorite.
It’s interesting that she spoke of “romance” in her response, since the last time we saw Addison, she revealed to Amelia that she and husband Jake (played on Private Practice by Benjamin Bratt) might be headed for divorce. How epic would it be for Addison to find new love (or even a fling!) with another surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital?
Even if no Kate Walsh return is planned at this point, we still have so much to look forward to on Grey’s Anatomy Season 23. There’s the question of whether or not Blue Kwan will be back after getting fired. Jo, Link, and all four of their kids made it through last season, but now Jo is questioning if she even wants to be a surgeon anymore, and Link’s popping pills for lingering issues from his injury in the explosion.
We’ve also got Amelia getting caught with Cass Beckman, Meredith and Nick headed for the altar, and Jules and Winston's romance going full steam ahead. I simply can’t wait to have my Thursday nights back. Grey’s Anatomy Season 23 premieres at 10 p.m. ET Thursday, October 15, on ABC and streaming the next day with a Hulu subscription.
