Kate Walsh weighed in on another potential return to Grey’s Anatomy after Addison came back to drop a major bombshell about the state of her marriage.
“It was never up to me where Addison’s story wrapped up. So coming back was like going home for the holidays,” Walsh, 58, exclusively told Us at the Centrum Inside and Outside Makeover Salon Experience on Thursday, August 13, in New York City. “I love going back and it had been enough time that I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got to do lots of other things [since then].”
Walsh, who originated the role of Addison when the show premiered in 2005, hinted she wouldn’t mind “popping in and out” of the hit medical drama.
“Initially when I went back, Krista Vernoff was running the show then and now it’s Meg Marinis, who is doing an incredible job,” she gushed. “We talked about this very powerful women’s health story line and I was like, ‘Great. Sign me up.’”
The actress was thrilled to return for an important episode, saying, “I do think that one of the great things that that medical shows do — particularly with Grey’s Anatomy and in Shondaland — is being able to address these incredibly powerful issues, social issues and political issues.”
She continued: “People can connect and maybe grow and change their minds and become attached to these characters and listen to them through their hardships and feel like they’re identified too. They can feel seen and heard.”
Walsh returned in a January episode of Grey’s Anatomy where Addison paid a visit to Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to assist with a pregnant patient who was suffering from a tumor that affected her sight. In an effort to get Amelia to scrub back in, Addison revealed that her marriage to husband Jake (Benjamin Bratt) might be over.
Addison refused to share any more details about their issues, but Amelia eventually convinced her to open up. Addison said Jake was forcing her to choose between their marriage and her career — and she chose the latter.
Addison and Amelia talked over her options before realizing the relationship likely couldn’t be saved. They ended the episode bonding at Amelia’s apartment, but it remains to be seen what Addison will do about her personal life.
“It’s always a possibility [that Addison could return],” Walsh teased to Us. “Never say never.”
After Us brought up the strong reactions to Addison’s revelation, Walsh said she didn’t know how invested fans would be in the state of her character’s marriage.
“I didn’t think about that. I went back and I was like, ‘Wait, what’s my son’s name again? How old is he?’” she quipped. “But it’s good that people have strong reactions to the show.”
Outside of the world of Grey’s Anatomy, Walsh is keeping herself busy with a multitude of opportunities. She also found time to work with Centrum to promote healthy aging.
“There’s a lot of pressure in Hollywood to stay the same, but that’s just madness. It just doesn’t work,” she told Us. “It’s like a recipe for self-flagellation or feeling bad. So I want to look my best — obviously — and for myself, too. But it is odd to see [the conversations around aging in Hollywood].”
Walsh discussed how she has added Centrum vitamins into her everyday wellness routine.
“I really didn’t get into serious supplements until probably my mid-30s, around the time that Centrum Age Defy would be great. Why I like Centrum Silver is it’s great for brain health,” she noted. “It’s great for brain function and heart health and eyes. These are things that as you age and get into your 50s become more prevalent and necessary than say they would when you’re younger. … Centrum vitamins are clinically proven and have been doing this for a very long time. There are so many things out there that this is quite comforting.”
