After taking a short break from Grey's
Anatomy to bond with her new baby daughter Nancy Leigh
(Naleigh),
Katherine was expected to return to the medical drama to film
the remaining episodes of Season 6 at the beginning of March.
However, despite heading back to Los Angeles
from her maternity leave on schedule ready to work she did not
end up returning to the set, with Entertainment Weekly reporting
that creator Shonda Rhimes and ABC had agreed to release
Katherine from her contract.
The magazine added that discussions between
the Katherine and the studio had be ongoing for some time and
last week both sides mutually agreed that the best solution
would be to part company now rather than at the end of the
season. All that now remains is for an agreement to be reached
between the parties regarding the terms of her departure.
Despite a burgeoning movie career Katherine
successfully managed to balance work in both film and television
during her 6 year stint on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Isobel "Izzie"
Stevens. When confirmed officially, her exit from the show will
enable Katherine to pursue a number of film and production
opportunities on a full time basis, including her recently
announced starring role in the Columbia Pictures movie "One
For The Money".
