Addison Montgomery Is Finally Back On "Grey's Anatomy" Next Week, And Her Entrance Is A Flawless Callback To Season 1

The creative minds behind Grey's Anatomy have never been known to shy away from unexpected plot developments, and somehow — after more than 17 seasons — they're still surprising us. If you haven't heard the news already, Kate Walsh will return to the series next week to reprise her role as Addison Montgomery.

Kate Walsh on the red carpet with a partly unbuttoned top showing a hint of a black lace bra
Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / WireImage via Getty Images

Fans of the reputably long-running medical drama know Kate's casting announcement was pretty shocking, since her reintroduction to Grey's marks the end of a hiatus that lasted almost 15 years.

Kate left the show as a series regular in 2007 but guest-starred in a handful of episodes after that while leading its spinoff, Private Practice.

A smiling Kate sitting and speaking into a microphone
Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images for National Institute for Reproductive Health

Anyway, Addison's formal Grey's reentry is nearly here, and the show is paying tribute to the character's legacy — plus, one of her most memorable moments — in a new promo clip that dropped yesterday.

"I'm Dr. Addison Montgomery," she tells a group of younger doctors in the teaser, who are appropriately stunned to see her back at the hospital.

A serious-looking Kate as Addison
ABC / Via youtube.com

As one snaps a smartphone photo, Addison adds, "And you must be the group that's been screwing up the program."

A smiling Kate as Dr. Montgomery, with Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey looking at her
ABC / Via youtube.com

Veteran Grey's viewers will probably recognize the line, which riffs off Addison's first appearance on the show way back in the day. At the time, Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey had recently become romantically involved with Patrick Dempsey's Derek Shepherd, who was married to Addison.

"Hi, I'm Addison Shepherd," she told Meredith. "And you must be the woman who's been screwing my husband."

Addison shakes Meredith's hand as Derek looks on
ABC / Netflix

A throwback for the books, that's for sure. Addison returns to Grey's Anatomy next Thursday — let me know if you're planning to watch in the comments below.