'Grey's Anatomy' on ABC: Jesse Williams to return as guest star in season 19, fans say 'finally my guy is back'

Jesse Williams is returning as director and guest star in the fifth episode of 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19, reprising his role as Dr Jackson Avery
Jesse Williams as Dr Jackson Avery in 'Grey's Anatomy' (IMDb)
Jesse Williams as Dr Jackson Avery in 'Grey's Anatomy' (IMDb)

 'Grey's Anatomy' is the only series in which most of the well-known actors have appeared, whether it's Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan who is now popularly known as Nate Jacob's father (Eric Dane) in the HBO series, 'Euphoria', or Kevin McKidd's Owen Hunt who was also seen as Poseidon in 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief'. The show has been running for almost two decades. As the series progresses, so does the pattern of introducing new characters while bringing back old favorites on occasion. Addison Montgomery, who appeared on 'Grey's Anatomy' from time to time, was previously one of many.

However, this time it is someone new. Jesse Williams is returning as director and guest star in the fifth episode of the medical drama’s upcoming 19th season, reprising his role as Dr Jackson Avery. Airing November 3, 2022, and titled, 'When I Get to the Border,' it will be the fourth episode of the show that Williams has helmed. 

RELATED ARTICLES

'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19 on ABC: Why was Seattle Grace renamed as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital?

Fans go FRENZY over Derek's mention in first episode of 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19

Jackson Avery is the former attending ENT at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital and was one of the staff members who joined Mercy West Medical Center after the merger. He is also a former member of the board and the de facto board chairman. Jackson was married to April Kepner with whom he has a daughter. He relocated to Boston to take over the Catherine Fox Foundation and work towards achieving equity in medical care. A newly divorced April and their daughter, Harriet moved with him so he could continue being an active and present father. While in Boston, he and April rekindled their romance.

He was introduced in the season 6 episode, 'Invasion' as a surgical resident formerly from Mercy West Medical Center when it merges with Seattle Grace Hospital. Williams initially appeared as a recurring cast member and was later promoted to a series regular in season 7. The character's main storyline involves Jackson trying to achieve success on his own instead of riding on the coattails of his surgeon grandfather's high reputation. He specializes in plastic surgery after working with chief Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) in season 7 and later became chief of the department himself. 

Williams departed 'Grey’s Anatomy' as a series regular in the spring of 2021 after 12 seasons. In the May 6, 2021 Season 17 episode, 'Look Up Child' it was revealed Jackson was leaving Grey Sloan to move to Boston to take over the family foundation. He was followed there by his ex, April (Sarah Drew), who relocated with their daughter. Williams made a couple more appearances in Season 17.

However, after the news surfaced online that Jesse is back as a guest star in the upcoming episode of the series, fans lost their composure. Fans said, "Yes love me some jackson!!" Another fan mentions, "MY BEST BOY IS BACK." A fan noted, "Finally my guy is back, 2 bad it’s just as a guest & not rest of season." A fan shared, "Jackson needs to mention off-handedly that April is visiting Arizona in Callie in NYC. That’s what I need. Who cares about Meredith anyways," while another added, "I love Jessie.... Would love to see a Greys spinoff with Jackson and April at the Boston hospital running the foundation."



 



 



 



 



 

'Grey's Anatomy,' which follows the personal and professional lives of the doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, will be back every Thursday at 9 pm ET. Watch to find out what happens next.
 
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Mariska Hargitay’s reported ‘SVU’ paycheck includes acting and producing, while her estimated wealth reflects a career spanning more than four decades.
2026-11-12T20:43:49.000Z
'Marshals' Season 2 introduces a Texas cowgirl who joins Kayce Dutton at East Camp to help establish an equine therapy program.
2026-11-12T20:24:16.000Z
‘School Spirits’ Season 4 brings back Jennifer Tilly as Deborah Hunter-Price and Milo Manheim as Wally Clark while expanding its cast with four new additions
2026-11-12T20:05:26.000Z
Paul Wesley and Sara Canning reunite for Netflix’s college sports romance ‘Icebreaker,’ years after starring together in ‘The Vampire Diaries.’
2026-11-12T19:40:49.000Z
Peacock’s ‘The Good Daughter’ finale answers questions about the school shooting, Huck’s past and the buried secrets dividing Sam and Charlie’s family.
2026-11-12T16:29:59.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z