Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams won't rule out show return

new york, new york december 05 jesse williams attends as anna wintour hosts special screening of living at crosby hotel on december 05, 2022 in new york city photo by dia dipasupilgetty images
Grey's Anatomy's Jesse Williams teases show returnDia Dipasupil - Getty Images

Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams has teased the prospect of returning to the show in the future.

The actor played Dr Jackson Avery in the medical drama, making his debut in 2009 before leaving the main cast in 2021, and subsequently returning for a guest appearance last year.

Williams also directed an episode of the ABC series and revealed to PEOPLE that an on-screen return as Jackson isn’t entirely off the table.

ellen pompeo, jesse williams, gerey's anatomy season 19
ABC/Raymond Liu

Related: Ellen Pompeo fought against "most famous" Grey's Anatomy scene

"They ask me to direct [an episode] once a year," he said. "I always loved that place. I’m always happy to entertain the idea of coming back to direct or make an appearance. The door is open for me. It’s almost like a reunion, a university. I’m an alumni of a university.

"They’re not rolling their eyes when you knock on the writer’s door saying, 'Hey, I have a question about this. I want to talk about this,'" he revealed about the production process for the show. “You’re not a pain in the ass, and you’re actually helping them do their job.

"You could go home, but you’re coming over here to work on this. There’s energy and pride in giving them something authentic and real. I’m proud of the work we did, and I think that’s reflected in the audience and their response in what we’ve seen so far.

in a scene from grey's anatomy season 16, jesse williams as dr jackson avery stands in front of scan images of a brain
Disney - ABC

Related: Grey’s Anatomy boss Shonda Rhimes teases show’s future

Whilst fans may have to wait a while for Williams’ return as Jackson, the main cast for the upcoming 20th season was confirmed recently, with original cast members James Pickens Jr and Chandra Wilson set to reprise their roles as Richard Webber and Miranda Bailey respectively.

Kevin McKidd, Camilla Luddington and Caterina Scorsone will all reportedly return, this time without Ellen Pompeo who bid farewell as Meredith Grey at the end of season 19.

Grey's Anatomy season 19 airs on Thursdays on ABC in the US. The show streams on Disney+ in the UK, where new episodes premiere on Wednesdays.

You Might Also Like