Katherine Heigl Discusses ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Return: Will She Come Back To The Show?

Season 12 of Grey’s Anatomy is expected in September or October this year, and there are already discussions and rumors surrounding the cast members. One of the rumors said that Katherine Heigl will return, reprising her role as Dr. Izzy Stevens. However, the actress has discussed the rumors, saying that they are not true. Sorry, Izzy fans.

The rumors hit shortly after rumors that Ellen Pompeo would be leaving. The actress’ contract with Grey’s Anatomy ends after the 12th season, and it looks like she will be leaving the show. Many fans will wonder whether the show can even exist without Meredith Grey, especially when there is no other “Grey” to continue the series. That was one of the reasons reports surfaced that a familiar face would return.

The Huffington Post has confirmed that Heigl will not return to the show. If she did, it would certainly shake up a few things. Her on-screen ex-husband, Dr. Alex Karev, is settling down with his new girlfriend, and they have even agreed to buy a house together. It looks like that relationship is safe for now, as so many others are breaking down.

Rather than bring back an old character, it looks like Grey’s Anatomy is trying to shake things up with new doctors. Martin Henderson has been confirmed in a new role, according to International Business Times. So far, his exact role has not been confirmed, but it is possible that he has been introduced to help bring back some of the fans that gave up after the death of Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd. Fans were outraged at his death towards the end of Season 11, when he had barely been a fixture during the season.

While sharing that she would not return, Heigl also said that she could not imagine the corridors of Grey’s Anatomy being the same without McDreamy. He was one of the small number of characters left from the pilot episode, after Dr. Cristina Yang’s departure at the end of Season 10, and was a major part of main character Meredith’s life. It is hard for most Grey’s fans to imagine the show without him. Imagining it without Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan was hard enough after the Season 8 finale and Season 9 premiere.

“I just can’t even imagine the show without McDreamy. I just can’t! It’s so hard to picture.”

–Katherine Heigl about Derek Shepherd’s exit.

Season 12 of the show will return for the fall season on ABC. Whether this is the last season or not is still up for discussion, but Heigl will definitely not return to Grey’s Anatomy if it does continue.

“There’s not. I’m sorry…I think that’s — I don’t know how to answer that.”

[Photo by David Livingston / Getty Images]