Grey’s Anatomy Wild Speculation: Which Big ‘A’ Name Will Return?

Fans of Grey’s Anatomy have seen characters come, go, and come back to Grey Sloan Memorial over the years. Might a doctor (or non-medical character) from the show’s rich history be checking back into the beloved medical series this fall? That’s a rumor that has been gaining a lot of traction in the fandom.

Grey’s Anatomy Return

Entertainment Hub is playing armchair head writer and looking at some characters who could be worked back on the show. Coincidentally, many of these candidates play characters that begin with the letter “A.”

Dr. Arizona Robbins (Kate Capshaw)
Arizona moved to New York City at the end of season 14 to be closer to Callie (Sara Ramirez) and their daughter Sofia. Arizona and Callie both are big fan favorites. Fans were not happy to see them written off the show. Ideally, both women will return to add to the drama in Season 17. What could bring them back west?

Perhaps one or both would be asked to consult on a medical storyline? Jessica Capshaw recently appeared on Live With Kelly and Ryan to promote her latest projects. Post-Grey’s, Capshaw has worked on Dear Zoe and Holidate to her credits.

Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh)
Maybe we weren’t supposed to “like” Addison as she was married to Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and therefore an obstacle to his romance with lead heroine Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). But viewers quickly embraced her. Sensing her popularity, ABC and Shonda Rhimes (creator of Grey’s Anatomy) spun her off into her own series Private Practice. During that series, Walsh brought Addison back to Grey’s for a guest spot, so there’s precedent for her returning to the mothership show.

Walsh has been working non-stop since turning in Addison’s stethoscope, starring and/or appearing in Emily in Paris, The Umbrella Academy, 13 Reasons Why, Bad Judge, Fargo, Full Circle, The Hot Wives of Orlando, Undateable, and Everyone’s Crazy But Us, so it’s questionable that she’d be available for a return.

Dr. April Kepner (Sarah Drew)
Doctors don’t just treat patients on Grey’s Anatomy. Sometimes, they become patients. After making it out alive after a horrific car accident, April quit her job at Grey Sloan Memorial, but she’s still helping people. She went off to help the homeless who also need medical care.

April shared an on-again/off-again relationship with Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) but ended up marrying Dr. Matthew Taylor (Justin Bruening). April’s return might be most easily-facilitated as she is living in Seattle still, presumably. And, if she does come back, bring Matthew, too!

Since leaving Grey’s, Drew has added the following films to her resume: Republic of Sarah, Twinkle All the Way, Cohort of Guests, and Christmas Pen Pals. She also recently posted (see below) her updated hairdo saying, “Fresh color with @xtinameneses to get ready to GO BACK TO WORK!!! Hallelujah!” which has fed speculation she may be the one returning.

Which of these characters — if any — might be returning? Don’t miss a single episode to find out! Grey’s Anatomy returns on Thursday, November 12 at 9 p.m. ET for a special two-hour premiere on ABC.