In 12 seasons of "Grey's Anatomy," Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) has been through more trauma than anyone else on the show. Last season, the doctor dealt with the death of the love of her life, and in the first few episodes of season 12, Meredith appears to be doing better as she tries to cope with her grief. But when the ABC drama returns next month, her strength will be tested once again as she gets brutally attacked.

In the promo released last week, Meredith is seen looking bloodied and battered as she sobs on the floor. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, cast members Kelly McCreary, Sarah Drew, and Caterina Scorsone revealed a few details about the shocking episode, which is directed by two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington.

"Meredith gets attacked by someone you would least expect and it is just as terrifying, shocking, and harrowing as it appears," said McCreary. Drew added that the attack is very vicious and brutal and that it was done in a "completely surprising, weird way."

What happens to Meredith will impact the hospital, and Amelia (Scorsone) will be particularly affected by what happens to her sister-in-law.

"Amelia takes that really hard," said Scorsone. "Amelia always holds herself extremely responsible for the misfortune of others…She often takes it all very personally when someone she's close to is hurt."

Last year, some footage that was taken on the set of "Grey's Anatomy" leaked online and the short clip shows Pompeo as Meredith, her left leg and left arm in casts and she is being pushed in a wheelchair by Bailey while Washington can be heard giving direction on the set. Pompeo also took to Instagram to post a picture of her hugging the actor and captioned it, "this guy…aka #thetruth can boss me around anytime #episode1209 #goodtvisntpretty."

According to Wetpaint, the episode titled "The Sound of Silence," might be the best installment of season 12 yet because aside from the Academy Award winner's participation, the episode was written by executive producer Stacy McKee, who wrote the episodes where Derek proposed to Meredith, Callie weds Arizona, Cristina imagines two possible futures, among others. Filming for the episode appears to have lasted from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, which is a long shoot for a single TV episode.

"Grey's Anatomy" returns with "The Sound of Silence" on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. on ABC.