Katherine Heigl Takes a Long Hiatus From 'Grey's Anatomy'

Wed, 02 September 2009 23:29:53 ET

'Grey's Anatomy' star Katherine Heigl has been given permission by ABC to take a break from the TV series as she has to film her upcoming movie project.

Katherine Heigl has been reported to take a break from filming "Grey's Anatomy". Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly claimed sources have informed that the actress will not appear in five episodes of the ABC's drama series as she has to shoot her upcoming drama comedy film "Life as We Know It".

A representative for the television network has also confirmed the news, saying "Katherine is taking time off to film a movie." The representative additionally explained, "The producers at Grey's have accommodated past things like that before. It's a cast of 13 and it is a true ensemble so the show is mindful [of other commitments]."

Entertainment Weekly, moreover, reported that Katherine's absence from the series will be explained on screen, though there has been no word on what occasion her character Izzie Stevens will be told leaving the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. The 31-year-old star's departure, which is set to begin later this month and will last for about a month, coincides with co-star Ellen Pompeo's maternity leave.

Previously, the creator of "Grey's Anatomy", Shonda Rhimes, has hinted that there would be several changes in the new season of the TV series. "Eventually, everybody is going to leave the show," she admitted, citing T.R. Knight's exit and the temporary departure of Ellen Pompeo. "So we're looking at [ways] we can mess with the structure now...." The series' executive further claimed, "Season 6 is about finding the longevity of the show and figuring out if there is a future for this show beyond these characters."

The sixth season of "Grey's Anatomy" will be broadcast on ABC starting on Thursday, September 24 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern/ 8:00 P.M. Central. Nora Zehetner, Robert Baker and Jesse Williams will join the cast ensemble to portray recurring residents/ medical professionals.

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