‘Grey’s Anatomy 22’ winter trailer teases original villain’s return — here’s all we know about the reunion
ABC is revving up the second half of its television season with a familiar face that longtime ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ fans know well. The network has dropped a new teaser for Season 22, offering the first glimpse at the return of Addison Montgomery. The character was once positioned as the series’ original disruptor before becoming one of its most enduring fan favorites. Because ABC launched its 2025–2026 schedule earlier than usual, many of its shows, including ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ slipped into a mid-season break sooner than expected. This time around, however, the network avoided last year’s unconventional rollout, when hiatuses stretched well into spring.
Instead, the medical drama is set to resume quickly, much to the relief of viewers left hanging by unresolved storylines. In a newly released winter trailer for Season 22, Kate Walsh makes her return as Addison Montgomery. The teaser may be brief, clocking in at just 13 seconds, but it packs plenty of intrigue. The footage shows Addison back inside the Seattle hospital, working alongside Amelia Shepherd. Addison’s history on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is foundational to the series itself. She was first introduced in the closing moments of season one as the unexpected third party in Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd’s romance.
Revealed as Derek’s wife, Addison’s arrival instantly complicated the show’s central love story and established her as an early antagonist, according to ScreenRant. At the time, she embodied the ultimate obstacle to the relationship viewers were already rooting for. Over time, however, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ expanded Addison’s narrative, transforming her from a perceived villain into a richly layered and deeply sympathetic character. That evolution ultimately led to her own spinoff, ‘Private Practice,’ where Walsh headlined for six seasons. Since departing Seattle to lead her own series, Addison has returned to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ several times for special appearances.
Walsh was most recently seen on the show during Season 19. Her latest return raises new questions, particularly about what draws her back to the Pacific Northwest once again. The teaser’s focus on Addison sharing scenes with Amelia suggests that her visit may be medically motivated. Amelia, played by Caterina Scorsone, has been notably absent from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 22 for a stretch, making her reappearance alongside her former sister-in-law especially notable. Their shared history, both personal and professional, opens the door to meaningful interactions that could ripple through the current storyline.
According to reports, Walsh is expected to appear in only one episode during season 22. Still, fans are already hopeful that this brief return could pave the way for more appearances down the line. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has a long tradition of revisiting beloved characters, and Addison’s continued popularity makes her an easy candidate for future storylines. Fortunately, viewers won’t have to wait long to see how her comeback unfolds. As per TV Insider, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 22 returns with new episodes on January 8, 2026, promising answers to lingering questions.
