Peter Gallagher Set to Join ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18 in Major Arc

Peter Gallagher is headed to Grey Sloan Memorial. Per Deadline, the Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist star is set to have a multi-episode arc on Grey’s Anatomy Season 18, which premieres September 30 on ABC.

Gallagher will pay Dr. Alan Hamilton, a surgeon who crosses paths with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and reveals he had close ties to her late mother, Dr. Ellis Grey (Kate Burton). This casting news comes just weeks after it was announced that Burton would reprise her role as Ellis in multiple episodes of the new season, so it’s possible Ellis and Alan’s relationship will be explored in a series of flashbacks.

Although Ellis died of a heart attack in Season 3 of the long-running medical drama, Burton last appeared in a dream sequence during Season 15. After her character was noticeably absent from the lineup of returning cast members who visited Meredith’s “dream beach” last season, it seems like her and Gallagher’s storyline will help the Grey’s protagonist dig deeper into her family’s history.

Gallagher is certainly no stranger to buzzy shows. He’s best-known for playing Sandy Cohen in The O.C., but the Golden Globe-winning actor’s recent TV credits include Nick in Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, Mitch in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and William in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

While Gallagher has had a storied career, his new Grey’s Anatomy gig is particularly impressive to his daughter, You and Jagged Little Pill actress Kathryn Gallagher.

After his casting was announced, she posted on her Instagram Stories and wrote, “I didn’t not cry when he told me. HARDEST SECRET I’VE EVER HAD TO KEEP.”

Sounds like this season will be a family affair all-around.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 premieres September 30 on ABC.

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