This is big news for Grey's: Burton is returning again as Meredith's legendary, difficult late mother, Dr. Ellis Grey. Although Ellis never appeared during Meredith's "beach" visions during her life-and-death COVID battle last season, Deadline reported that Burton will be back for multiple episodes in season 18. However, it's not clear yet how or why Ellis will return, whether it will be flashbacks or some kind of dream or vision, or any other details.
Burton last appeared in a dream sequence on Grey's in season 15, but her career stretches far beyond the walls of Grey Sloan! She's an Emmy- and Tony-nominated actress with tons of credits on both stage and screen. Grey's fans, however, probably know her best for hopping over to another Shonda Rhimes show, playing Vice President Langston on Scandal for seven seasons.