ABC/VIVIAN ZINK Kate Burton as Ellis Grey Kate Burton is returning to Grey Sloan Memorial. The actress has been tapped to reprise her role as Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) mother, Ellis Grey, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Burton who earned two guest actress in a drama Emmy nominations for the role will return in the season 11 premiere when the character will appear in flashbacks. This marks Burton's 17th appearance on Grey'sand latest visit to Shondaland following her role as vice president Sally Langston on ABC's Scandal. (Burton is also nominated for her guest role in the Shonda Rhimes political drama at this month's Emmys.) PHOTOS The Couples of Shondaland: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Private Practice,' 'Scandal' Burton's return comes after Grey's Anatomy revealed in its 10th season finale that Richard (James Pickens Jr.) and Ellis had a love child Margaret Pierce (played by guest star Kelly McCreary). Margaret arrived at Grey Sloan as a potential replacement for Cristina (Sandra Oh), who moved to Zurich, telling Richard who she doesn't know is her father that she was adopted and came to the hospital because her mother's name is on the building. Rhimes told THR in June that there was a chance that Burton … Continue reading →

Kate Burton The mystery behind Meredith's half-sister will soon be revealed! Kate Burton has signed on to reprise her role as Ellis Grey via flashbacks for the upcoming season premiere of Grey's Anatomy, TVGuide.com has learned. In the Season 10 finale, the new head of cardio Margaret Pierce (Kelly McCreary) was revealed to be the half-sister of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), whom their now deceased mother Ellis Grey gave up for adoption unbeknownst to her father, Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr). Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes teases half-sister twist, possible new romance "It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out," executive producer Shonda Rhimes recently told TVGuide.com of finally introducing Meredith's half-sister. "'Because we've all known about it for so long, it's always been layered in. It's not a thing where we're going in and backdating. It's literally always been layered into the story line. We can literally go back and pull out moments of the show and I'm excited to do so, and point out where it was talked about. It's not going to be so hard to do." Burton's portrayal of Ellis Grey earned her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama, the same … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Kate Burton will return on Grey's Anatomy. The 56-year-old actress will reprise her role as Ellis Grey, mother to Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), on the show's season 11 premiere. Ellis was a world famous surgeon who shared a strained relationship with her daughter. The character developed Alzheimer's later in the series, and eventually died in season three. She last appeared in season eight during Meredith's alternate universe fantasies, and will appear in flashbacks in the new episode. Burton has been nominated for an Emmy twice for her portrayal of Ellis, and is currently nominated for her role as vice president Sally Langston on Scandal. The actress has also appeared on Law & Order, The Good Wife and Veep. Both Grey's Anatomy and Scandal were created by Shonda Rhimes. Grey's Anatomy season 11 premieres September 25 on ABC. 2014 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent. See more here: Kate Burton to return on 'Grey's Anatomy' … Continue reading →