Kate Walsh Reflects On Her Time As Addison Montgomery On 'Grey's Anatomy'

It's been five years since Kate Walsh bid farewell to the world of Grey's Anatomy, but the actress still holds a special place in her heart for her iconic role as the enigmatic Dr. Addison Montgomery. In a recent conversation with BuzzFeed, Walsh opened up about her experiences on the beloved show, sharing some surprising insights into her journey with the character that fans will never forget.

Kate's First Encounter with Addison: The Immediate Reaction

When Kate Walsh first stepped into the shoes of Dr. Addison Montgomery in 2005, it was clear that her character wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms by the show's fans. “I got more calls and attention from that 60-second scene than anything in my career before,” she revealed. “Isn’t that funny?” Despite the instant notoriety, it wasn't all positive feedback. “Everyone hated me,” Walsh admitted, but she found a way to embrace the negativity. “At that time, there was no Twitter. There were chat rooms, but I never really went on them. I kind of liked being the Wicked Witch from the East. Or the wicked b-tch,” she joked.

Shonda Rhimes' Genius: Turning Hate Into Love

Walsh praised the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, for her ability to transform seemingly awful characters into fan favorites. “Shonda is really gifted at flipping every character that’s seemingly awful,” she explained. “It’s a great lesson in how to have compassion for people that you initially hate.” This transformation was particularly evident with Addison, whose complex backstory and vulnerabilities eventually won over audiences.

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From 'Grey's Anatomy' to 'Private Practice'

Kate portrayed Addison, the ex-wife of Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), who became romantically involved with the show's main character, Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), for three seasons. Her tenure on Grey's Anatomy from Season 1 to Season 3 set the stage for her own spin-off, Private Practice, which premiered in 2007 and ran for six successful seasons. Even after leaving Grey's Anatomy in 2012, Walsh continued to make occasional guest appearances, keeping fans engaged with her unforgettable character.

Kate as Addison on Greys in 2006. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Behind the Scenes: Navigating the Early Days of 'Grey's Anatomy'

During her chat with BuzzFeed, Walsh also shared some behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the show's early days. “I remember because I came in at Episode 8 — at that time the morale was really low,” she recalled. The uncertainty surrounding the show's title added to the tension. “They kept changing the name of the show. It was Doctors and then Surgeons and then Complications and I was like, ‘What a bullsh-t show title!’ Grey’s Anatomy is the perfect title,” she said with a laugh.

Boosting Morale Through Friday Lunches

To lift spirits and build excitement among the cast, the producers introduced a clever strategy. “To keep our morale up, they started showing us episodes at Friday lunches that were already edited,” Walsh explained. “And I was like, ‘This is a really good show,’ and I was so excited to be a part of it.” This enthusiasm only grew when Walsh was offered a role as a series regular, marking a turning point in her career. “I was supposed to do a pilot for another sitcom on ABC, and it didn’t end up getting picked up and then they called me to be a series regular on Grey’s and the world changed. It was stunning, right? It was really phenomenal.”

Looking Back: Does Kate Watch 'Grey's Anatomy' Today?

With the show now in its 13th season, one might wonder if Walsh keeps up with the series. “I don’t! Once in a while I’ll see a gif somewhere online. It would be really interesting to go back and watch now — that would be really cool,” she admitted. Despite her absence from the screen, Walsh's impact on Grey's Anatomy remains indelible, and fans continue to hope for her return.

Check out the gallery to see all the Grey’s Anatomy characters we wish would return for Season 14!

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Meta Description: Dive into Kate Walsh's reflections on her time as Addison Montgomery on 'Grey's Anatomy.' From fan reactions to behind-the-scenes stories, Walsh shares it all in a candid interview.

Title: Kate Walsh Opens Up About Her Iconic Role as Addison Montgomery on 'Grey's Anatomy'