Kate Walsh Says Returning to Grey’s Anatomy Is ‘Like Going Home,’ Talks Costar Eric Dane’s ‘Heartbreaking’ ALS Journey
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Kate Walsh reprised her role as Addison Montgomery on the Jan. 29 episode of Grey’s Anatomy
The appearance marked her first since 2023, and she said being back on the set is “like putting on a worn but comfortable glove that I could just go right into”
Walsh also spoke about her former costar Eric Dane’s ongoing battle with ALS, calling him a “beautiful person”
Kate Walsh is back on Grey’s Anatomy for the first time in nearly three years
Walsh returned as Addison Montgomery in the Thursday, Jan. 29 episode of the series, pulling her former sister-in-law, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), out of her sabbatical to assist with a consult on a pregnant woman. Addison also confessed to Amelia that she’s having marriage difficulties.
The actress, 58, said playing the neonatal surgeon is “just in me” over two decades after she made her debut on Grey’s, shocking fans as Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) estranged wife who abruptly arrived in Seattle, interrupting his new romance with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).
“There’s a part of my psyche that will always be reserved space for Addison,” Walsh told Variety of reprising the character.
“It’s so nice. It’s more like putting on a worn but comfortable glove that I could just go right into. All the metaphors are just so cheesy, but it’s like going home.”
“It’s such a delight not just to work with Caterina, but to work with the entire crew that have been there, many of them since the very beginning,” she said. “It’s so fun just to work with friends.”
Scorsone’s return in the episode alongside Walsh marked her first appearance on the series since October. Deadline reported that she would miss eight consecutive episodes — explained on-screen as her character taking a sabbatical following Monica’s (Natalie Morales) death in the explosion — as a result of budget cuts.
For season 22, Scorsone, 44, will appear in just 10 of the 18 episodes.
In the interview with Variety, Walsh also spoke about her former costar Eric Dane’s ongoing journey with ALS.
“It’s so painful. It’s really sad,” Walsh said. “I haven’t been in touch with him, but I’ve reached out and sent my love and support and strength. It’s so heartbreaking.”
She described Dane, 53, as “such a beautiful person and such an incredible man,” as she said, “I’ve had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it’s just horrific. So my heart goes out to him.”
“I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers,” Walsh said.
Her comments on her former costar come after Dempsey, 60, shared that he’s been in touch with Dane amid his health battle. “I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I’ve been texting with him,” Dempsey told Parade.
In fact, he revealed he tried to have Dane cast in his new thriller Memory of a Killer, but “unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible.”
“He’s been incredibly courageous in the face of this horrible disease. He’s such a wonderful human being,” Dempsey continued of the actor. “He has such a great sense of humor, and he’s so intelligent. I’ve always enjoyed working and being around Eric.”