Katherine Heigl to stay on GREY’S ANATOMY

I’ve long since stopped watching Grey’s Anatomy, and after her comments about Judd Apatow and Knocked Up I’ve pretty much ignored what Katherine Heigl has been up to, but today comes word that she will be remaining on Grey’s Anatomy for the upcoming season.

This follows on from the news that T.R. Knight will be leaving the show.

The Hollywood Reporter writes:

Now sources say that Heigl’s option on the medical drama has been picked up, meaning the actress will continue on the series.

The news comes on the heels of word leaking that Heigl’s pal on the show, T.R. Knight, won’t return next season.

ABC won’t confirm any casting for its flagship drama series.

The lives of both actors’ characters were left hanging in the balance in the “Grey’s” season finale last month.

Izzie, who had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer in the brain and liver, underwent a successful brain surgery but lost her short-term memory and suddenly flat-lined in the final minutes of the finale.

Heigl has had a somewhat rocky tenure on “Grey’s.”

The series made her a household name, launched her successful movie career and earned her an Emmy in 2007. But tensions began to creep in, escalating last summer when Heigl pulled herself out of Emmy consideration, attributing her decision to the lack of good stories for her character.

She also was rumored to have lobbied for a release from the show to focus on her booming feature career.

But that was a year ago. This past season, the storyline of Izzie’s cancer was central to the show’s creative resurgence. Additionally, the actress had stated publicly that she wanted to continue on the show.

(photo source = Bauer-Griffin)