Kate Walsh.Photo: Scott Garfield/Disney

kate walsh

The doctor is in!

Kate Walshis officially returning toGrey’s Anatomyfor season 19.

On Wednesday,Varietyconfirmed that Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery, will return as a recurring character on the medical drama’s upcoming season.

The officialGrey’sInstagram page also shared the news,writing beside a photo of Walsh, “You asked, we listened! The iconic and legendary @katewalsh will be returning to this season of #GreysAnatomy 🤩”

Walsh, 54, first stepped into the shoes of Addison Montgomery whenGrey’s Anatomybegan in 2005, playing the estranged wife of character Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsy).

She then departed the series in season 3 and began starring on the firstGrey’sspinoff,Private Practice, which aired on ABC from 2007 to 2013.

Though she hasn’t been a constant character on the show in recent years, Walsh did make anappearance in season 18— specifically for a few episodes that revolved around a transplant surgery and the aftermath.

Richard Cartwright/ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

GREY’S ANATOMY, Ellen Pompeo, Kate Walsh, ‘Oh, The Guilt’, (Season 3, airing Oct. 19 2006)

In a 2021 interview withVariety, Walsh said fans of Montgomery were part of the reason she rejoined the show. “It felt just beautiful and I was so pleased,” she said. “For years and years, there wasn’t an interview that I’ve ever done where someone hasn’t said, ‘So fans are wondering, will you ever go back toGrey’s?’ And so, I did.”

Walshtold PEOPLEand other reporters around the time of her season 18 appearance that reuniting with her former costars on set was both “intense” and “very emotional.”

“All the feels,” she said. “It was really beautiful. We reunited at the COVID test tent, and hugged each other with our masks on, and then went to go act with our masks on.”

“It was just very emotional,” she continued. “Like going back to your hometown and your family and your first best job ever all at once. It was a lot, it was great.”

RELATED VIDEO:Grey’s Anatomy: Kate Walsh Arrives at Grey Sloan in Season 18 Episode Preview

Walsh’s arrival comes as leadEllen Pompeotakes a step back from the role of Meredith Grey.

Pompeo, who has been the lead onGrey’ssince its premiere in 2005, is going to be less of a staple during season 19. The actress will onlyappear in eight episodesof the upcoming season,Deadlinereported in August.

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Season 19 ofGrey’s Anatomypremieres Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com