If there is anything that longtime fans about Grey’s Anatomy, it’s that its stories from behind the scenes are sometimes more interesting than even the medical drama’s most shocking episodes. Sure, there are have been several character deaths and surprising guest stars over the years.But throughout the show’s impressive 18-season run, controversy has also occurred time and time again, so much so that character exits seemed necessary in some cases.For instance, there was that time when Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey got physical on set that supposedly occurred after Washington yelled racial slurs at co-star T.R. Knight (that wasn’t exactly what started their fight though).Washington’s character got written off soon after and then, just a few years later, Katherine Heigl appeared in her final episode too. Over the years, a lot has been said about the actress’ exit from the show. In light of recent revelations though, is it possible for Heigl to return at least one more time?
Katherine Heigl’s Exit Happened Right After Her Emmy Snub
Heigl certainly got everyone’s attention when she was cast as Dr. Izzie Stevens in Shonda Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy. She may not have been the lead, but Heigl made for one impressive supporting cast member, so much so that her performance even earned the actress her very first Emmy back in 2007.
And just when it looked like things could only get better for Heigl, the actress did the unexpected. The following year, when the actress received an Emmy nod once again, Heigl decided to turn down the nomination.
“I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention,” the actress said in a statement. “In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials.”
Since then, there was reported friction between Heigl and the show. Even worse, trouble had already been brewing prior to this as Heigl suspended contract negotiations with producers while asking for a raise that would put her salary at par with lead star Ellen Pompeo.
With regard to the issue, ABC eventually released a statement saying that the network already offered “to raise her compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract.” Heigl also famously spoke out against the show’s working conditions while on Late Night with David Letterman.
A couple of years later, it was revealed that Heigl was leaving the show. Her exit also happened prematurely since the actress requested to be released before her Grey’s contract was up. Since then, there had only been mentions of Izzie from time to time. However, there was never any indication that her return would ever happen.
Since Then, Katherine Heigl Struggled To Get Her Groove Back
Heigl's exit from Grey’s (and her previous comments about some of her past films) led to the actress essentially being blacklisted from Hollywood. “I may have said a couple of things you didn't like, but then that escalated to 'she's ungrateful'... then that escalated to 'she's difficult' and that escalated to 'she's unprofessional,” the actress admitted.
Gradually, however, Heigl eventually managed to stage a comeback. In fact, the actress even booked a co-lead role in Netflix’s Firefly Lane with Sarah Chalke. Prior to that, the actress also joined the cast of Suits all the way up to the show’s final season.
Meanwhile, Heigl also got some redemption recently after Pompeo finally spoke out in support of her co-star’s accusations while on Letterman.
“I remember Heigl said something on a talk show about the insane hours we were working, but she was 100 percent right,” Grey’s highest-paid star remarked on her podcast Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo. “Had she said that today she'd be a complete hero, but she was ahead of her time.”
Could Katherine Heigl Still Return To ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
After everything that’s been said and done, it does seem like Heigl is in a good place now. More importantly, the actress is open to returning to the medical drama that launched her career. “I could never say never,” Heigl admitted.
That said, the actress also admitted that it’s not really up to her (although she has remained in touch with former co-stars, including Pompeo). Instead, the possible return of Izzie is really up to the writers and producers of the show. “I think it would just be completely dependent upon the team over there, how they feel about it, and the story.”
Because of this, Heigl also doesn’t want to get the fans’ hopes up for nothing. “That’s not really totally up to me,” the actress explained once more. “I would never say never. Though, I don’t want to get people’s hopes up. I really…it’s unlikely. So, I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy has already been renewed for a 19th season. And with so many previous cast members making guest appearances lately, perhaps the medical drama would write in a visit from Izzie one day too.