Debbie Allen Teases Catherine Facing 'Real Challenges' on “Grey's Anatomy”: 'Couldn't Even Keep a Dry Eye' (Exclusive)

Catherine blackmailed Meredith over keeping the progression of her cancer a secret on the season 21 premiere of 'Grey's Anatomy'

Debbie Allen knows it will be anything but smooth sailing for her character Catherine on Grey’s Anatomy.

On the season 21 premiere of the hit ABC medical drama, Catherine faced off with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) after letting her go from the hospital along with Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) and Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) for their involvement in the secret Alzheimer's research.

Later in the episode, Meredith realized Catherine’s cancer was progressing and she needed further treatment, but Catherine told her to “keep your mouth shut” and not tell her son Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) or husband Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) about her condition.

Related: Grey's Anatomy's Camilla Luddington Teases Jo Be Will Be Stuck in 'Her Own Tornado of Emotions and Hormones' (Exclusive)

Allen, 74, told PEOPLE at the Project Angel Food's 35th Annual Angel Awards Gala in Hollywood on Saturday, Sept. 28 that the obstacles are far from over for Catherine.

“Ms. Catherine's going to go through some real challenges with her health and understanding of her role in the leadership in that medical world that she lives in,” she teased.

The actress shared that the show is “so dynamic,” adding, “I wish I could tell you, but I'm telling you, week to week to week, we laugh out loud, we cry. We're going to make the world care, which is what Grey's Anatomy has always been.”

“We are following the footprint that [creator] Shonda Rhimes has left us,” she continued. “And we have an incredible showrunner now, Meg Marinis…She is amazing. So collaborative, but also can see where we're going to go, and we're all there.”

Related: Debbie Allen Says She and Husband Norm Nixon Have 'Hit Some Rocks and Hit Some Walls' amid 40 Years of Marriage (Exclusive)

As for what fans can expect from the rest of the season, Allen teases there is an emotional rollercoaster ahead.

“This season I'm just telling you, this episode, I just directed one. I directed four, I read seven, and I just couldn't even keep a dry eye,” she shared.

Related: Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneak Peek Teases Jesse Williams' Return as Jackson Avery: 'Welcome Back' (Exclusive)

Allen — who was given the Humanitarian Angel Award during the annual event — also discussed the impact of Project Angel Food, which is dedicated to nourishing “the health and spirit of vulnerable people facing critical and life-threatening illness, by preparing and delivering medically tailored meals with love, care and dignity,” according to the organization’s mission.

“Project Angel Food is one of the most important nonprofits on this planet because it recognizes and it works hard every day to serve those who need, to share from those who have to those who have not,” she explained. “And people should not go hungry on this planet and certainly not here in the United States.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.