Kate Walsh Is Returning to "Grey's Anatomy" — Plus All These New Characters Joining Season 19

 Its hard to believe but  Greys Anatomy is headed into its 19th season this fall The long running medical drama is shaking things up in a big way as it launches its new season.

 Ellen Pompeo will be scaling back her time on the show meaning her lead character of Meredith Grey will only be in eight of the planned 19 episodes for the season but it turns out a veteran  Greys character will return in a major way to help fill the void Pompeos absence throughout the season will leave.Still Greys is getting somewhat of a fresh start. At least five new characters are joining the cast as first year surgical residents despite the cliffhanger from Season 18 that temporarily shut down the residency program at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital alongside the shows established regulars like James Pickens Jr.  Richard Chandra Wilson Bailey Kevin McKidd Owen  Kim Raver  Teddy Camilla Luddington Jo and more.Heres everything we know so far about the fresh faces who will be walking the familiar halls of Grey Sloan very soon. 

The fan favorites first episode of Season 19 which kicks off on Thursday Oct. 6 at 9/8c will be its third. Unless you have been living under a rock you already know that original cast member Ellen Pompeo AKA Meredith will appear in the upcoming season only in a  limited capacity. In turn Scott Speedman who plays her significant other Nick  has been bumped from series regular to recurring status.Continuing on as series regulars are OGs James Pickens Jr.  Richard and Chandra Wilson Bailey as well as Caterina Scorsone  Amelia  Kevin McKidd  Owen Kim Raver Teddy Kelly McCreary Maggie Anthony Hill (Winston   Camilla Luddington  Jo  Chris Carmack Linkand Jake Borelli Levi.New to the series as first year medical residents are Harry Shum Jr. Glee Adelaide Kane Reign Alexis Floyd  Inventing Anna  Niko Terho who starred opposite Borelli in the Freeform rom com The Thing About Harry and Midori Francis Sex Lives of College Girls.