‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ fans!! it is time to rejoice!! The 18th season of the popular show has finally premiered on ABC. The American medical drama, which made its debut in 2005, is one of the longest-running television shows and has managed to gather a huge loyal fanbase over the years. 

Ellen Pompeo (Dr Meredith Grey), Chandra Wilson (Dr Miranda Bailey), Kevin McKidd (Dr Owen Hunt), James Pickens Jr (Dr Richard Webber), Caterina Scorsone (Dr Amelia Shepherd), Camilla Luddington (Dr Jo Wilson), Kelly McCreary (Dr Maggie Pierce) and Kim Raver (Dr Teddy Altman) are some of the characters returning for season 18.

Also Read: Why Grey’s Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo had an ugly spat with Denzel Washington

Another character returning this season is Kate Walsh, who reprised the role of Dr Addison Forbes Montgomery in the previous seasons. Walsh was a central player in the second and third seasons before leaving the show. The character last appeared in Grey’s back in 2012.

“Dr Addison Montgomery is coming back to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and I’m so excited to be home again joining Shonda [Rhimes], Ellen [Pompeo], and the rest of the incredible cast. Season 18. Just wait until you see what she has in store for you,” she said on Instagram. 

Also Read: Grey’s Anatomy: 10 most memorable dialogues of all time

Meanwhile, three characters, Giacomo Gianniott (Andrew DeLuca), Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) and Greg Germann (Tom Koracick), who were also seen in the 17th season, will not be seen in the 18th season. 

Also Read: Grey’s Anatomy: Top 5 series finales of the show

In an interview, Gianniotti, whose character was stabbed to death, confirmed that he will not return.

“When I heard that it wasn’t anything to do with that [his mental health and his bipolar diagnosis] and he was to be murdered by a sex trafficker – and that it was an opportunity to recall a storyline that got a lot of buzz from last season and shed a light on an issue that is very important – I think it all made sense,”  he said.