Kate Burton will be returning to Grey’s Anatomy for the show’s 11th season to reprise her role as Ellis Grey.

Kate Burton Returning To 'Greys'

Burton’s return as Ellis Grey for the upcoming season has been confirmed by Entertainment Weekly. She’ll appear as Meredith Grey’s mother and Richard Webber’s former mistress in flashbacks, as Ellis died after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s in an earlier season of Grey’s Anatomy.

Ellis Grey’s return to Grey’s Anatomy was necessitated by a reveal that came late in the show’s season 10 finale. As it turns out, Ellis gave birth to a love child with Richard that she subsequently gave up for adoption. That child, unbeknownst to anyone, ended up seeking out her mother’s memory at Grey Sloan Memorial hospital and is now running cardio.

The flashbacks that will feature Ellis will likely explain how the child came about, how she managed to hide her pregnancy and her decision to put the child up for adoption. The first flashback will be featured in the upcoming season premiere.

Grey’s Anatomy’s season 11 premiere will air Thursday, Sept. 25 on ABC at 8/7c.