Exclusive Interview
20 Years Later, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Vet James Pickens Jr. Looks Back at Addison’s Iconic Debut (VIDEO)
Grey’s Anatomy is celebrating 20 years on the air this year, and every fan remembers the scene when Dr. Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh) set foot inside Seattle Grace and turned Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) seemingly idyllic romance upside down.
With that fiery red hair and undeniable confidence, Addison walked right over to introduce herself, specifically to Meredith, “And you must be the woman who’s been screwing my husband.”
The Season 1 finale of Grey’s Anatomy became an instant classic. The episode first aired on May 21, 2005. In honor of its 20th anniversary, Swooon asked James Pickens Jr. to look back at Addison’s arrival.
“First of all she was lovely, this redhead,” Pickens Jr. told Swooon at the Disney Upfront. “She brought such an energy to that show, so much charisma, so much dedication to it, and obviously when Private Practice came, the offshoot of that, I did the pilot. I came on to do that first episode, so it was a lot of fun for me.”
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Richard and Addison’s friendship has always been one of the best dynamics of Grey’s Anatomy. As Addison’s work takes her all across the country, whenever she’s in Seattle, she makes sure to catch up with her mentor figure.
Grey’s Anatomy will be returning for Season 22 this fall, and Pickens Jr. revealed what he wants to see on the relationship front between longtime couple Richard and Catherine (Debbie Allen). “I want to see us be a little more lovey-dovey on there,” he said. “Us seniors know how to make it work, so I’m looking forward to that.”
The ABC medical drama has had its fair share of romantic moments over the last two decades, but the actor’s favorite is when he married Catherine in Season 11. As for what makes Pickens Jr. swoon when the cameras aren’t rolling? “My wife of 41 years,” he gushed.
Grey’s Anatomy, Season 22, Fall 2025, ABC
