"Grey's Anatomy" season 12 hit its mid-season finale with a few loose threads kept open, but one factor that has yet to be addressed is whether or not Addison (Kate Walsh) would return particularly after Derek's (Patrick Dempsey) death in the previous season. According to Walsh herself, however, this might not happen anytime soon.
The series has brought back previous characters in some form or another over the years. Christina (Sandra Oh), Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) and even Izzie (Katherine Heigl) had been brought back after initially leaving the show, although Izzie was only mentioned instead of returning on screen in person.
It was expected that Addison would return as well given that she was previously married to Derek before he divorced her and married Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), but according to an interview with Hollywood Life, Walsh confirmed that at the time being she would not be coming back on "Grey's Anatomy."
"I love Shonda Rhimes and we're tight, and we definitely want to work together again. But I just feel like I played Addison, and I'm so happy fans love that character and it's so memorable," she explained, "but I did it for 9 years, so for me, just as an actress, it's important to move on."
The actress only starred in "Grey's Anatomy" for seasons 2 and 3 but later starred as the lead doctor in the spin-off series "Private Practice," where the character Addison moved to California to restart her life, personally and professionally.
A report from Cartermatt points out that the only "Grey's Anatomy" character Addison has any strong relationship with other than Derek and Meredith is Amelia (Caterina Scorsone).
Walsh continued to explain that at the moment she is now focusing on acting on stage in New York. She has also appeared in several films, including the 2012 film "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and in the new series "Bad Judge."
"Grey's Anatomy" season 12 will return with the Denzel Washington-directed episode "The Sound of Silence" on Feb. 11.
