Caterina Scorsone Teases the GREY’S ANATOMY-PRIVATE PRACTICE Crossover

In what has become an annual tradition, tonight’s GREY’S ANATOMY features a crossover with its sister-show, PRIVATE PRACTICE.

I had the chance to chat with PRIVATE PRACTICE newbie Caterina Scorsone (Amelia) — who I adored in the title role of Syfy’s recent miniseries, ALICE — and she dished on the crossover, being a GREY’S fan and why she’s so stoked about doing fake surgeries…

Were you a fan of both shows before you joined PRIVATE PRACTICE?:
Caterina Scorsone: I had watched early GREY’S and loved it and thought it was something really special. And I do have a [real-life family] background [in the medical field]. And it’s funny, because I always had a struggle over whether I wanted to go into the medical field or keep acting, so I feel like this is the perfect reconciliation.

Since you were a fan of GREY’S, what was your reaction when you found out you’d be playing Derek’s sister?
CS: You know, it’s funny…I had never thought about it before, but when they said, “You’ll be playing Derek Shepherd’s sister,” I realized that it really made sense, it really felt natural, actually. Visually I could see how we could be related and I was so familiar with the character that placing myself in that extended disbelief was easy.

Was there any disappointment, like “Darn it, now I can’t make out with Patrick Dempsey?”
CS: [Laughs] I suppose! But there are other tasty people on that show! There’s not really a consolation prize situation.

And there is obviously a big PRIVATE PRACTICE-GREY’S ANATOMY crossover tonight. What can you tease about that?
CS: You know, [Series creator] Shonda [Rhimes] keeps her cards close to the vest. [Amelia] goes to Seattle to reconcile — or something — with Derek.

Is he the only one she interacts with while she is at Seattle Grace?
CS: No, she gets to interact with a bunch of the doctors, which is great, because they’re such a talented group. They’re really phenomenal.

We’ve seen one of Derek’s sisters come on the show and not have the best impression of Meredith. Will Amelia warm up to her right away?
CS: I think we have to wait and see. I think Amelia is very different from some of her other sisters, so she might have a different reaction. [Laughs]

Will we see her have any interaction with Derek’s long-time BFF Mark?
CS: She knows a lot of people from Derek’s youth. She has a strong relationship with Addison, Sam, Naomi and Mark. So Mark and her…he kind of grew up in our house, so there is a history.

A romantic history?
CS: There’s a pretty big age difference. I think mostly we’re going to be focusing on Amelia and Derek. But knowing Shonda and knowing GREY’S, it can go anywhere.

Would you actually like to see the siblings repair their relationship? Or is it more fun for you as an actress to deal with their conflict?
CS: I think I want it to go in the direction that is the most authentic. With family relationships, or any relationships where you’ve known each other for that long, but particularly family relationships, [things] are so complex. And whether they resolve everything or whether the tension remains, there is always going to be multiple layers of emotions going on. And ambivalence. So I think as long as we’re exploring that relationship and keeping those colors there [we’re okay]. I think Shonda is really good at allowing ambiguity and ambivalence in relationships. They can love each other and they can hate each other simultaneously. And with family, that can often be the case.

Is there anything you really want to see happen for Amelia on PRIVATE PRACTICE?
CS: So far, I’m just really excited to do the surgeries! I get to wear scrubs, I have tools! That’s pretty, pretty fun. I’d love for her to work with every cast member. I hope her storyline somehow intersects with everybody. I’ve already worked with Kate [Walsh (Addison)] quite a bit and she is so lovely and generous and funny. Really, I feel an overabundance of gratitude because everyone is so wonderful.

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @marisaroffman on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv