While Katherine Heigl is taking a five-episode hiatus this season film a new movie and Dr. Izzie Stevens will be MIA as a result, Ellen Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey will be in every episode.

That's great to hear after a slew of rumors about new faces and cast musical chairs.

Sources confirm that Pompeo is expected to return to the set of Grey's Anatomy "very soon" after she and Chris Ivery welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Stella, September 15.

The way it's worked out means that every episode will feature the title character.

This is thanks to her early return, as well as her willingness to pre-shoot scenes before the birth (most of which took place in bed after Meredith's liver surgery in last night's episode).

That's a great piece of news for Meredith and Derek fans, right?

Luckily, no episodes of Grey's Anatomy will be MerDer-less anytime soon.

As for all you Owen and Christina fans worrying about trouble in paradise, new recurring guest star Kim Raver will appear on the show starting November 12 as a SGH surgeon.

If it works out, she could become a series regular.

As for Raver playing a love interest for Owen (Kevin McKidd), "It's possible they do have some kind of connection," a show insider says. "But I think Shonda [Rhimes] and the writers are big fans of Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Owen and will do right by them in the end."

Raver's story line hasn't yet been shot.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.