'Scandal': 'Grey's Anatomy' veteran Kate Burton joins Shonda Rhimes' new show

Both of Meredith Grey's parents are moving to Washington, D.C.

Kate Burton, who played Mer's (Ellen Pompeo) brilliant, distant mother on "Grey's Anatomy," has joined ABC's midseason drama "Scandal" for a multi-episode run, the network says. Both shows are created by Shonda Rhimes.

"Scandal" centers on a Washington-based crisis consultant (Kerry Washington) who formerly worked for the president (Tony Goldwyn). Burton will play the vice president, whose politics are somewhat to the right of Goldwyn's character, a moderate Republican.

The part will reunite her with Burton with TV ex-husband Jeff Perry, who played Meredith's dad on "Grey's" and is a regular on "Scandal" as the president's chief of staff.

"Scandal" will also feature a couple other actors who have spent time in Shondaland. Series regular Katie Lowes has guest-starred on both "Grey's" and "Private Practice," as has recurring guest star Liza Weil (who's also married to "Private Practice" star Paul Adelstein). JoBeth Williams, who played Addison's (Kate Walsh) mom on several "Private Practice" episodes, also guests in the new show.

"Scandal" will debut in early 2012 on ABC; Burton will first appear in the fifth episode.