Grey’s Anatomy boss previews Arizona’s return: ‘It was time to hear that laugh again’

“I think people will be really happy,” showrunner Meg Marinis tells EW of the return.

Leave it to Arizona Robbins to return to Grey Sloan Memorial for a history-making operation.

Jessica Capshaw, who left Grey’s Anatomy in the season 14 finale, is reprising her role as the almost-always-upbeat Arizona in the April 4 episode. It seems Arizona is in town for a very complicated surgery that involves operating on a baby’s brain before the baby’s been delivered. Spoiler: It’s never been done before. But when the Grey’s writers came across this particular medical story, they knew they needed to get Capshaw back.

“That’s the amazing thing about the writers’ room and having so many characters that have been on and off the show, everybody is always pitching different stories to bring back different people,” showrunner Meg Marinis tells Entertainment Weekly. “It was a nice balance of, ‘This medical story is amazing,’ and we’d been looking for a way to bring Arizona back. So it just seemed right, and it felt like it was time to hear that laugh again in the hospital.”

It’s certainly fair to say that there hasn’t been much laughing in the hospital as of late, particularly with the drama surrounding the interns. Needless to say, Arizona’s usual dose of sunshine is much needed. “You’re going to get a little bit of everything that we love about the character,” Marinis promises. “We’re going to see her with some familiar faces. Obviously, she’s in the trailer with Bailey [Chandra Wilson] and they have a great relationship. We’re going to see her come across a challenge. We’re going to see her laugh. We’re going to see her be medically awesome. We’re going to see her teach. I think people will be really happy.”

Arizona’s big return airs Thursday, April 4, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.