14 DAY TRIAL // After many months of speculation, and countless delays and postponements, it has finally been made official: Katherine Heigl is done as Izzie on “Grey’s Anatomy.” The actress herself confirms the news for Entertainment Weekly, saying it was having a new family that made her take this difficult decision and for which she asks for understanding from the fans.
It was EW too that first broke the news that Heigl might be out of “Grey’s” a little over a week ago, when Michael Ausiello of the Ausiello Files said he had it from very reliable sources that the star and ABC had finally come to an understanding regarding her departure. As it turns out, that was not just a rumor and Katherine is indeed out of the picture. It was a difficult choice, she says, but one that she hopes fans will understand.
“I am done. We just finalized our agreement. Everyone had been working really hard to find an amicable and gracious way of letting go and moving on. It’s sad but it’s what I wanted. I started a family and it changed everything for me. It changed my desire to work full-time,” Heigl says of her departure. By saying it was her family and her newly adopted daughter that changed her perspective on life, the star is also rubbishing reports that she’s leaving because she wants to pursue a career in feature film, a thing that being tied to ABC would not allow properly.
“I know I’m disappointing the fans. I just had to make a choice. I hope I made the right one,” Heigl goes on to say. In response to this interview, ABC has also issued a statement, which confirms it. “By mutual agreement, Katherine Heigl has ended her successful run as Dr. Isobel Stevens. The studio wishes her well. Everyone at Grey’s Anatomy is now focused on delivering a shocking season finale and a great show for seasons to come,” says ABC.
The print issue of the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly comes with a full interview with Heigl, who explains all the reasons behind the decision to leave the popular medical drama. At the same time, the actress also opens up about her plans for the future, her wonderful family and every scandal that tore the media apart while she was still on “Grey’s.”