ABC medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’s’ season 18 premiered on Thursday (local time). One of the longest running shows, the Ellen Pompeo starrer has recorded over 370 episodes, gathering a huge loyal fanbase since 2005. 

While reports did say that this could be the last season of the ABC drama, there is no official word yet. 

The season 18 brings several surprises for the fans, including the much awaited return of Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery. 

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

Here is all you can expect from the 18th season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?

Key characters returning for season 18:

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). 

Kate Walsh’s comeback:

Kate Walsh who plays Addison Montgomery on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ will be back. The actor announced  via TikTok in early September that she would be donning those scrubs again on season 18.

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 Actor Camilla Luddington, who plays De Jo Wilson, told Entertainment Tonight, “She is back and it is kind of like she’s never left before. I feel like her presence in scenes is that she kind of owns the hospital.”

Ellis Grey, Meredith’s mother, to feature in season 18:

Kate Burton, who played Ellis Grey, Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) mother on the show will appear on season 18, Deadline reported in August. The character died in season three but as many fans know, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ works beyond life and death. 

Peter Gallagher to play a neurosurgeon named Dr David Hamilton

“In addition to that coincidence, he regards Meredith as a premier surgeon in her field, and so that interests him,” Peter Gallagher said, as per Insider reports. He also described his character as “really good at his job” and “a pretty good human being.”

As per ABC, Dr Hamilton will be inviting Meredith to the opening of a research library dedicated to her mother, Ellis.

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

Abigail Spencer to return as Owen’s sister, Megan Hunt

Abigail Spencer will return as Owen Hunt’s (Kevin McKidd) sister Dr Megan Hunt, Deadline reported. As per ABC, she’ll begin season 18 on the premiere episode, “Here Comes the Sun.”

Jo Wilson to go blonde

Camilla Luddington plays as Josephine “Jo” Wilson. The actor, last month, flaunted her new look with blonde locks on Instagram. “………Season 18,” her caption read along with the hashtags “#JoWilson #blonde #NewEra.”

COVID-19 is yesterday in season 18:

As per reports, the pandemic will not drive the show. 

“This season is actually what we thought last season would have been. This season we start our world with the belief that everyone did what they were supposed to do and they got vaccinated and we got COVID under control and now we can take care of all the other things that happen in life that bring people into the hospital,”  Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr Bailey, told GMA.