Kate Walsh Cried ‘Real Tears’ in Tearjerker ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Scene

She’s back — again! Kate WalshGrey Sloan Memorial was returned in season 18 Grey’s Anatomy — and the entire experience was “very emotional” for her.

“It was just so surreal,” the Emily in ParisExclusively told by actress, 54 Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Alcon’s Systane Complete Preservative-Free Eye Drops, noting just how “grateful” she is to the series for launching her incredibly successful career. “It’s like going back home and going back to a job that changed my life in an amazing way so long ago.”

Walsh started her career in the Grey’suniverse, a neonatal surgeon, during season 1 in 2005 of the medical drama. She starred in her own spinoff two years later. Private PracticeThe series ended in 2013 after six seasons. The following were the highlights of her time on the spinoff: 13 Reasons WhySeasons 4 through 6 would feature guest appearances by the alum. Grey’s Anatomy.

After Private Practice came to an end, “I was thinking, ‘OK I’m done,’” Walsh recalled to Use. When she returned to Grey’s seven years later, she had to change her mindset and get back into character. “‘OK, let’s go,’” she recalled thinking at the time.

Wednesday, April 6: Perks of being a WallflowerStar teased yet another return. Grey’sTikTok. “I’m back in uniform and that can only mean one thing… #GreysAnatomy 😏,” she captioned the video, adding, “Coming your way Thursday, May 5th! 💋❤️.”

Kate Walsh Cried Real Tears Tearjerker Greys Scene

Kate Walsh at Whitney Art Party, New York on January 28, 2020
Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Walsh couldn’t help but gush toUseDiscuss working with the cast again.

“It’s been really, really fun. It’s so nice to be back and to get to play some more with them,” she said. “And it’s a really great story. It’s a great medical story line, but also the great personal stuff. I was so excited to see some juicy scenes. Jim PickensAnd Debbie Allen and everybody.”

One of those scenes from earlier this season, though more emotional than “juicy,” occurred when Addison and Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo() discussed the loss of Dr. Derek ShepherdPatrick Dempsey) — Addison’s ex and the father of Meredith’s children — while in the elevator.

Addison cried over Derek’s death and how the hospital brought back memories of him. Meredith invited her colleague, Meredith to meet their children.

Walsh answered the question “Am I really sobbing during that scene?” and said she was.

“It was definitely not my System Complete Preservative-Free Eye Drops,” she joked to Us. “No, those were real tears.”

Alcon eye drops instead have helped her in other ways on set. The actress — who has 20/20 vision but suffers from dry eye — noted to Us just how distracting it can be “in a scene if you’re constantly blinking.” With just one drop, she said, she can see better. The easy application is so “great,” she added. “I don’t have to redo [my] makeup.” (Unless she’s genuinely crying, of course.)

Walsh is now looking back at the series’ success and also looking ahead to the future.

“It’s been an honor to be a part of such a legacy. It’s just so rare,” she said, adding, “Who knows? It could be on season 19. It’ll go for 20. Who knows?”

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