‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Boss on Major Character’s Return, Meredith’s Romantic Future and More: “Our Fans Need a Little Lightness Right Now”

[This story contains spoilers from the Jan. 29 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, “Strip That Down.”]

Grey’s Anatomy delivered an exciting reunion this week when former doctor Addison Montgomery returned to the ABC medical drama to push her neurosurgeon friend Amelia Shepherd back to work at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The one-episode guest appearance from former series star Kate Walsh coincided with the end of Amelia’s sabbatical, marking Caterina Scorsone’s return to the series after a temporary exit in the Oct. 16 episode last year.

After the trauma and fallout from the hospital explosion in the season 21 finale, showrunner Meg Marinis tells The Hollywood Reporter that Amelia needed to take time away from work, and that her midseason return in season 22 will usher in a refreshed version of the long-running character. “It’s time for us to see the happier Amelia,” she says in the conversation below. There’s also happiness to stay in Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) romantic life, as Marinis dishes about what she has in store for season 22, and reveals if she came close to actually killing off the beloved Dr. Weber (James Pickens Jr.).

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We knew Amelia would return from her sabbatical, but not exactly when. Is she back for good?

I feel comfortable saying that you will see her in the next episode, yes. When she says, “I’ll go back to work,” she’s being genuine.

Because of budget, it was reported that some veteran stars had to cut their appearances this season. We’ve spoken before about the financial challenges of affording this large ensemble. What was behind the decision with Caterina Scorsone going on hiatus?

That also really went into the storyline. Sometimes we do this thing where people survive an insane crisis at the hospital and they pop back into work three episodes later. It just didn’t feel right to do it that way. She really felt a lot of responsibility for what happened to the hospital. And as co-parent with Link [Chris Carmack], when he was in such dire straits, her being able to be a stable parent to [their child] Scout at that time was also a good thing.

Amelia also has a history of taking on impossible cases, and sometimes not thinking through the consequences. I wanted to show that she had realized the consequences, that she’s more mature now. She’s now lived without [brother] Derek [Patrick Dempsey] for quite some time. She’s a mother. It was important to see her prioritize herself rather than keep going. It also speaks to her addiction history. I believe she became a little addicted to work and that she was pulling herself back a little bit.

She did look so happy and light when she returned this week.

I know! When you see her with that flower in her apartment? I told Caterina when I see that episode, I’m filled with happiness. To see the character back, to see Addison [Kate Walsh] hug her. We talked about, do we want to tell a story about her being nervous in the OR? But then I felt like all that time off didn’t do anything. Her apartment is even cleaner. I told [the set department] to make it look like she had really been focusing on herself. I think it’s time for us to see the happier Amelia.

Is Caterina excited about that shift, and does it make her having to miss a few episodes worth it?

It’s always an adjustment to not be at work as much as you’re normally at work, but it’s a crazy time in this industry right now. So having some work rather than no work [is better] and also, she’s always such a collaborative partner in the creative. I think she really understood that I didn’t want to take Amelia down a dark path after what happened and that I wanted to explore Amelia not just as a neurosurgeon, but Amelia as a whole person.

Why did you then decide to bring Kate Walsh’s Addison back to help tell Amelia’s reentry?

Initially we were thinking, “Addison will come back and fix Amelia and get her back at the hospital.” And then I thought, “I’ve seen that story before, why don’t we flip it?” So it’s actually Amelia helping Addison through something that allows her to realize she’s ready to come back to work. Also, based on what Addison is doing right now in the world of Grey’s Anatomy, it makes sense that she’s a dumpster fire. I mean, come on.

Kate Walsh is only back for this one episode?

Yes, this is her episode. I’ll take her as much as I can get her. I always want to try to bring Addison back. She’s beloved. But it’s hard in a shorter season [to do more], and she’s a busy working lady. [Note: Eight episodes remain in season 22.]

Jo [Camilla Luddington] and Richard [James Pickens Jr.] have each had near-death moments in season 22. Those are such beloved characters. How close were you in the writers room to considering killing one of them, or would that never happen?

What do you think of me? You think I would consider killing Richard Weber?!

I’d hope not!

We said, “Oh my god, what if we’re the writers room that killed Richard Weber?!” (Laughs.) But it’s a writers room, so it’s always a conversation. Jo was a conversation, and whether one of her babies died was a conversation. But it’s also that fine balance where audiences want to cry about something, but cry about something and then not having a terrible ending is something very cathartic — especially for people who are fans of a 22-season show. Our fans are here for our characters. Even knowing that Addison still exists in the world. And our fans need a little lightness right now, I think.

People were very excited about last week’s Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Nick (Scott Speedman) development and are asking if we will be seeing a proposal this season. What are you thinking about for their future?

I think that Meredith and Nick are amazing together, so they have a future. Nick is also [starring on R.J. Decker], so it’s a balance with that schedule. But Meredith and Nick have found that they’re happy, and the fact that Nick realized she would have dropped everything for a baby all over again? That was monumental for him. And Scott Speedman holding and talking to a baby? We needed that!

How many more episodes will Ellen Pompeo appear in this season?  

We will see her more than once, for sure.

Can you tease where Meredith’s storyline will go the rest of the season?

I’m going to pass on that because we’re in the thick of [figuring that out] that right now. I know where it’s going, but we’re working on the final episodes.

Will viewers still be happy by the end of the season, or are you going to blow something up again?

I’m not going to blow something up physically.

This week’s episode also had a storyline centered around government revoking federal funding for a clinical trial. Why did this feel like the right story to tell right now?

Access to care has always been an issue in the last several years, but with the clinical trials, we’ve spoken to so many researchers, and it’s just the heartbreak in their voices. They put so much time in — people who have been ready to open their lab literally the next day, and then their project is canceled. We wanted to honor that community who has been putting in their blood, sweat and tears to save strangers.

We wanted to tell the story of how a lot of people often feel like, “What’s the point?” And to show the difference between Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Lucas (Niko Terho), based on where you are in your career. Bailey has to be that stronger doctor who says, “I gotta pull him through this,” but also has to be there for her patient. That is one of the most heartbreaking scenes we’ve had in a while — Bailey having to tell that character that her trial is canceled. We wanted to show the difference in a young doctor versus a more mature doctor, and how you face this. Medicine is full of heartbreaks. Yet these doctors are still getting up the next day and going back into work and doing it all over again.

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Greys’ Anatomy releases new season 22 episodes Thursdays at 10 p.m., airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu.