Last time we saw Addison (Kate Walsh) walking the hallways of Seattle Grace on Grey's Anatomy was in the episode “Piece of My Heart," which aired in May.  In the said installment, Addison flew to Seattle Grace at the request of the Chief (James Pickens Jr.) to perform a groundbreaking surgery.  While she's determined to set a few people straight, she's also struck by the changes among her old friends.

But it seems that Grey's Anatomy fans have not seen the last of Kate Walsh, who now stars on the spin-off Private Practice.  According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, Grey's Anatomy fans can expect more Grey's Anatomy-Private Practice crossover early next year.

Walsh joined the cast in Grey's Anatomy in 2005 as Dr. Addison Montgomery, the estranged spouse of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).   The role of Addison was originally conceived as a short-term role that was planned out for five episodes but the audience's positive response to Walsh, and to the Derek/Meredith/Addison triangle, convinced series creator Rhimes to expand the role and make Walsh a series regular.  Eventually, however, Addison said goodbye to Seattle Grace to start a new life and career at the Oceanside Wellness Center in Southern California.

Nothing has been revealed about the details of the upcoming crossovers but this update is expected to intrigue devoted fans, especially now since many aren't exactly pleased with the Izzie-Denny romance on the medical drama.

In the meantime, Ausiello reports that “It'll take place over the course of three episodes [February 5, 12 and 19] and the only confirmed participant as of now is Kate Walsh.”

Adding more confirmation to this, in a previous report by BuddyTV, Shonda Rhimes also hinted that Addison may be visiting again in the middle of the season if there's a good story to tell.

"I don't know if it's going to work with the story, and we don't want her to come back for a visit if it doesn't feel important, something only Addison can do," Rhimes told Entertainment Weekly at the time. "But the idea is on the table."


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Entertainment Weekly
(Image courtesy of ABC)