Kate Walsh Says Returning to Grey’s Anatomy Feels Natural, Like Being ‘a Little Fish in the Stream’ (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• Kate Walsh told PEOPLE exclusively that returning to Grey’s Anatomy feels natural and like being “a little fish in the stream”
• The actress reprised her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in a season 22 episode in January, following previous guest arcs in seasons 18 and 19
• Walsh also shared what it’s like to be part of such an “iconic,” long-running series

Kate Walsh says slipping back into her scrubs on Grey’s Anatomy always feels natural.

While stepping out to the opening night of Shakespeare in the Park’s The Winter’s Tale in New York City on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the actress spoke to PEOPLE about returning to the long-running medical drama earlier this year. Walsh, 58, reprised her role as neonatal surgeon Dr. Addison Montgomery in the season 22 episode titled “Strip That Down,” which aired on Jan. 29.

In the episode, Addison pulls her former sister-in-law, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), out of her sabbatical to assist with a consult on a pregnant woman. She also confesses to Amelia that she’s having marriage difficulties.

Walsh’s latest return to the ABC series followed previous guest arcs in seasons 18 and 19.

Asked how it felt to be back in the mix at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Walsh told PEOPLE, “It’s like [I] slip back in like a little fish in the stream.”

She also shared what it’s like to be part of such a beloved TV series.

“Oh, my gosh, it’s so iconic. I mean, there are no words,” she said. “I’m just so thrilled for everyone who’s on the show and all the writers and [showrunner] Meg Marinas. That it’s going on and that the fans love it so much. It’s really exciting.”

Walsh first appeared as Addison in the show’s season 1 finale and left the series as a main character in season 3. She went on to star in the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff series, Private Practice, for six seasons from 2007 to 2013.

After her appearance in season 19, Walsh discussed her return as fan-favorite Addison during a visit to The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“It’s incredible to be back,” she said at the time. “But the younger set of actors who are the new set of interns, they grew up watching the show. You’re like, ‘Oh, hi!’ ”

“It’s funny to be the elder statesman of the show,” she continued, adding of the cast, “They’re so beautiful — all of them are such great actors.”

Walsh recently weighed in on the spirited, fan-led debate between Patrick Dempsey and the late Eric Dane’s characters: Is she team McDreamy (Dempsey’s Dr. Derek Shepherd) or McSteamy (Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan)?

“I couldn’t decide,” Walsh admitted in an interview with Woman’s World published on July 24. “It was all so fiction, but it was a great time.”

Walsh’s character was introduced after Derek and Dr. Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo) became romantically involved. She made a memorable entrance in the show’s inaugural season when she called out Meredith for “screwing” her husband, Derek. Her character was also romantically involved with Mark, adding more drama to the mix.

While speaking with PEOPLE at the Shakespeare in the Park event, Walsh remembered her late costar Dane — who died on Feb. 19 at age 53, nearly one year after announcing his ALS diagnosis — as “just a great guy” and “a great father.”

“His legacy will live on in his work,” she added.

All 22 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy are available to stream on Netflix and Hulu. Season 23 — which is scheduled to return in October 2026 — will air new episodes on ABC, with Hulu streaming them the following day.