Ellen Pompeo teases upcoming season 18 Grey’s Anatomy Easter eggs. Created by Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy debuted on ABC in 2005 and is now hailed as the longest-running medical drama in television history. Starring Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy follows the lives, losses, and loves of the surgical team at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Most recently, Grey’s Anatomy season 17 tackled the coronavirus pandemic and featured the return of original characters in a dreamlike sequence as Meredith battled the effects of the virus. These include Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, T.R. Knight as George O' Malley, and Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey. In September, Grey’s Anatomy kicked off season 18, which takes place in a post-pandemic world. So far, season 18 has boosted its cast list with Scott Speedman being added as a series regular, as well as the return of Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, and Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery. Now, Pompeo reveals more throwbacks are on the horizon.

Related: Grey's Anatomy: Every Character Who Left The Show & Returned 

In an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live (via EW), Pompeo revealed that Grey’s Anatomy season 18 will feature Easter eggs that honor the longtime series. Speaking on the season 18 premiere, Pompeo noted that the shirt Meredith wears while in Minnesota is the same shirt her character wore in the series’ pilot. Revealing that season 18 has been workshopped to nod to characters, events, and patients from previous seasons, Pompeo said, "It was my idea to pay homage to many things and many different seasons and give the audience things to watch out for and to plant Easter Eggs."

Indeed, Grey’s Anatomy viewers can expect Addison’s grand re-entrance, which is slated for the October 14 episode, titled “Hotter Than Hell,” to resurface moments from Meredith’s complicated history while offering a fresh story arc. Of course, fans of the series continue to hope that other popular characters will sport their doctor's scrubs once more. Mainly, fans are hoping to see the return of Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), who left Grey’s Anatomy at the end of season 10.

For now, Grey’s Anatomy season 18 appears to be off to a riveting start. As for the longtime series, it remains to be seen when the show will sign off. Grey’s Anatomy showrunner, Krista Vernoff, recently admitted that she continues to develop new ideas for the show’s inevitable finale. Pompeo revealing that season 18 will honor the groundbreaking medical drama with Easter eggs could indicate that the end of Grey's Anatomy is near. For now, Grey’s Anatomy continues to make an impact on its devoted audience.

Next: Grey's Anatomy: Why Kate Walsh's Addison Is Returning (& Why She Left) 

Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live (via EW)