Grey’s Anatomy’s Kim Raver on Ellen Pompeo and Scott Speedman’s direction

Grey’s anatomy‘S Kim Raver got another chance to direct an episode of the hit ABC series – with everything from Ellen Pompeo And Scott Speedman‘s return to a surprising cliffhanger.

“I just love it. I feel so lucky to have the incredible Debbie Allen as my mentor and that every time I get to direct a new episode, I learn more,” Raver, 56, who plays Teddy, told exclusively We weekly ahead of her latest episode, which airs Thursday, January 22. “I have an incredible crew and this cast is amazing.”

The episode, titled ‘Fortunate Son’, follows Richard (James Pickens Jr.) as he “continues to navigate his health.” Meanwhile, Meredith (Pompeo) and Nick (Speedman) are visited by Nick’s estranged sister from Boston.

“I really have to dig deep into it [the main three characters for this episode] and then the interns. Especially with James Pickens Jr.]he has publicly come out that he has been treating prostate cancer. This storyline follows Richard: he is vulnerable and tells this story. The audience will be captivated and moved,” Raver teased. ‘And there’s also a cliffhanger. I think that’s going to be very surprising, because it’s amazing. We love a cliffhanger.”

Raver continued, “Ellen is incredible and her and Scott – their chemistry and their storyline is just amazing. Audiences are going to be really impressed with their story as well. I love being able to go every day and tell these stories from a director’s perspective.”

The actress expressed her gratitude for the opportunity after being on the show since season 6.

“Each storyline leaves us with that typical Grey’s Anatomy vibe where you cry, you laugh and the residents are so good. There’s a lot of tricks going on with them. It’s a very exciting episode,” she continued. “I feel like every time I direct a new episode of Grey’s, there’s more stuff [I learn] because there is a different format or a different way to film it.”

Raver reflected on the learning curve, adding, “But I think my confidence in how I want to tell this story and where I want to put the cameras might [has gotten better]. TV moves so fast, so I feel like the more I do, the more comfortable I get with the speed you need to go through it. I am becoming more and more comfortable with the profession, which allows me to really enjoy the process.”

Raver also teased a bit Grey’s anatomy fans can expect from the rest of season 22. “A few scripts came in [recently] and I thought, ‘Oh, my God.’ It gets messy and it’s so Grey’s Anatomy. I just love it so much,” she teased.

She concluded: “We all read what is happening [during a table read]and i love it. Some of us are dressed in scrubs, some of us are in regular clothes. Then when we find out the information, it will be a shock and a surprise to all of us. We are also like the audience, and we look at each other and think: ‘This is really happening.’”

Grey’s anatomy returns to ABC on Thursday, January 8 at 10pm ET and streams on Hulu the following day.