This story contains spoilers from the season 22 premiere of Grey’s Anatomy .

Natalie Morales is grateful for her time at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Grey’s Anatomy ’s season 22 premiere confirmed the actress’ character Dr. Monica Beltran died following the explosion at the end of season 21 after she was crushed by hospital machinery that fell on her during the impact —but not before walking surgical intern Jules Millin ( Adelaide Kane ) through the surgery of a boy the two had been operating on at the time of the blast.

Natalie —who originally joined Grey’s Anatomy in season 20—admitted she was slightly surprised when executive producer and showrunner Meg Marinis called her about the new season.

“When they asked me to come back for this

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