ABC has officially released the brand new Grey’s Anatomy season 22 winter trailer, and it delivers exactly what fans have been hoping for — the shocking comeback of the show’s very first “villain,” Addison Montgomery. After kicking off the 2025–2026 TV season earlier than usual, Grey’s Anatomy also entered its winter break ahead of schedule. Fortunately for fans, the hiatus is not as long as last year’s extended break, and the drama is about to return in full force.

New trailer teases chaos, heartbreak and unfinished storylines

Grey’s Anatomy season 22 is now only one week away from returning with new episodes, picking up multiple unresolved plotlines from the end of 2025. The trailer hints that:

• Jo is heading toward even more emotional turmoil

• Richard continues to struggle with his own personal demons

• relationships and careers remain on the line at Grey Sloan

Amid all of this chaos, ABC confirms the return of a character who once changed the series forever — Addison Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh.

Addison Montgomery is officially back

The new winter trailer, though only 13 seconds long, is enough to ignite fan excitement. Addison is seen back inside the Seattle hospital she once called home, working alongside Amelia Shepherd. Even a brief glimpse is enough to promise tension, nostalgia and drama.

Addison’s comeback marks the return of Grey’s Anatomy’s original antagonist figure. When she first appeared in the season 1 finale, she shocked viewers by revealing herself as Derek Shepherd’s wife, instantly complicating Meredith and Derek’s relationship and redefining the show’s love triangle dynamics.

Over time, however, Addison evolved from villain to fan-favorite — confident, brilliant, flawed and deeply human. She eventually left Seattle for her own spinoff series Private Practice, though she has returned occasionally for guest appearances, including season 19.

Why is Addison back now?

The trailer shows Addison sharing the screen with Amelia, raising questions about why she has returned to Grey Sloan Memorial. With Caterina Scorsone absent for much of season 22 so far, fans are thrilled to finally see Amelia again — especially reunited with her former sister-in-law.

Whether Addison’s return is tied to a complicated medical case or a personal matter remains unknown, but Grey’s Anatomy rarely brings back characters without purpose. Her presence hints at major emotional stakes ahead.

How long will she stay?

According to early reports, Kate Walsh will appear in one episode of Grey’s Anatomy season 22. However, her return opens the door for future reappearances, especially as long-running medical dramas thrive on nostalgia and legacy characters.

With the series resuming on January 8, 2026, fans won’t have to wait long to see Addison back in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial — and to discover how her arrival affects Jo, Amelia and the rest of the hospital.

Grey’s Anatomy has always excelled at blending high-stakes medicine with intense personal drama, and the return of Addison Montgomery proves that even after more than two decades, the series still knows how to surprise its audience.