Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is returning to Grey's Anatomy!

Allen, who portrays Jackson Avery's (Jesse Williams) mother Catherine on the ABC medical series, will be directing the third episode of the upcoming season, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

The ninth season picks up two to three months after the Stranded Six Five (RIP Lexie!) were rescued after a plane crash. "You see the aftermath of what happened," executive producer Shonda Rhimes recently told us. "You're left with some questions as to how this happened and 'Why is this the way it is?' and 'Why is that the way it is?'"

Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes talks Season 9: Time jumps, new locations and new docs!

The second episode will jump back in time to answer those questions, while the Allen-directed episode will jump back to the present timeline, which will find some doctors outside of Seattle Grace with new jobs.

This is Allen's fifth time stepping behind the camera on Grey's Anatomy. There's no word on whether Catherine Avery, who was last seen having a fling with Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) will also appear in the episode.

Grey's Anatomy returns Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9/8c on ABC.

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Grey's Anatomy Exclusive: Debbie Allen to Direct Again in Season 9