A new promo for Grey's Anatomy reveals Chyler Leigh will return as Lexie Grey in next week's episode. Grey's Anatomy is in the midst of an especially unconventional season 17, which has focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors Meredith Grey and Tom Koracick have both contracted the virus, though the show has spent more time on Meredith's battle with it. She's spent the bulk of season 17 hovering between life and death, which has manifested itself in Grey's Anatomy's much-discussed "beach scenes." In them, Meredith has reunited with several deceased characters, including her friend George O'Malley and husband Derek Shepherd. As a result, many viewers have spent season 17 hoping Lexie would show up on the beach as well.
Leigh's character joined Grey's Anatomy in the season 3 finale, eventually forming a close bond with Meredith, her half-sister. Lexie was a fan favorite throughout her time on the show, with many enjoying the lightness she brought, as well as her on-again-off-again relationship with Mark Sloan. Leigh appeared as a series regular until the season 8 finale. That episode featured a horrifying plane crash that severely injured several doctors, including Derek and Arizona Robbins. Lexie succumbed to her injuries during the finale, while Mark died early on in season 9.
Following this week's episode, ABC (via TV Promos) aired a promo for next week's hour, episode 10, titled "Breathe." In it, Lexie is shown visiting Meredith in her in between world, with the video calling her "The surprise beach guest you've been waiting for." Check it out below:
Though Lexie seems like a logical character to appear on Meredith's beach considering their close bond when she was alive, her return still comes as a surprise. Leigh is in the midst of filming Supergirl's final season. She's played Alex Danvers on The CW series since its debut in 2015. Since that show films in Vancouver and Grey's Anatomy in Los Angeles, it seemed Leigh's return would be difficult to work out, especially in coronavirus times. Apparently both shows were able to make it happen.
Lexie's appearance is further evidence of Grey's Anatomy pulling out all the stops for viewers in season 17. Though its COVID-19 storylines have provided little escapism, it's sought to balance things out with these exciting returns. They've rewarded viewers who have been watching Grey's Anatomy since the beginning and still love characters from nearly a decade ago (Leigh's last episode aired in 2012). Though it's unknown at this time how many scenes Lexie and Meredith will share in next week's episode, even a brief appearance from Leigh is worth looking forward to.
Source: ABC (via TV Promos)