In Season 19, Jesse Williams Will Direct and Guest Star on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Thankfully, Grey’s Anatomy fans, Dr. Jackson Avery will be returning soon.

According to PEOPLE, ABC has confirmed that the medical drama’s former lead Jesse Williams will return on November 3 as a guest star and director for the episode “When I Get to the Border.”

Williams, now 41 years old, told PEOPLE last week that he is “always open to the prospect” of returning to Grey’s Anatomy.

“My on-screen family is like my real-life family to me. That place will always serve as a kind of foundation for me “He was generous with his information. And whenever they give me a ring, I’ll be there to take it.

In the next episode, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) visits Boston and runs into Jackson. Entertainment Weekly reports that Debbie Allen will reprise her role as Catherine Fox, Jackson’s mom.

Williams will direct the episode for the fourth time on the series, following “Fight for Your Mind” (season 14), “What I Did for Love” (season 15), and “Save the Last Dance for Me” (season 16).

The news of Williams’ return was first reported by Deadline.
Prior to this May’s season 18 finale, both Williams and his costar Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner, Jackson’s ex-wife and the mother of his kid, had returned to the program.

In May 2021, Williams decided to leave the long-running medical drama. After 12 seasons and over 250 episodes, the actor departed from his role as the head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Williams thanked the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes, showrunner Krista Vernoff, costars Ellen Pompeo and Debbie Allen, and the rest of the cast and crew in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Williams, who has played the plastic surgeon since Season 6, went on to say, “As an actor, director, and person, I have been obscenely happy to learn so much from so many and I appreciate our amazing audience, who breathe so much energy and gratitude into our shared worlds.”

“As a result of producing approximately 300 hours of groundbreaking international television, I have gained invaluable knowledge and resilience that will serve me well throughout my life. I am so happy that we have accomplished so much and made such an effect, and that we have so many resources at our disposal as well as such wonderful friends and allies.”