Just a few weeks removed from seeing Tyne Daly pay Seattle a visit as Derek Shepherd's mother, Carolyn, Grey's Anatomy fans can get ready to meet Izzie's mom.

Best known for a run on NYPD Blue, and most recently for playing parent to JoAnna Garcia on Privileged, Sharon Lawrence has been signed to guest-star in the role.

Grey's Anatomy is winding down its fifth season just as Katherine Heigl's character, freshly diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, is coming to terms with her mortality.

Lawrence will appear in late April. What brings her to town? Will Izzie's mysterious trailer park history be revealed? What sort of relationship do you think they have?

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