"Grey's Anatomy" has seen a lot of its major cast members come and go throughout its 22 seasons, including its titular star Ellen Pompeo. Of all the drama surrounding cast exits, few have created as much of a media frenzy as the departure of Katherine Heigl's Izzie Stevens during the sixth season of the ABC drama.

Although Heigl won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama in 2007 for her performance on the show, she later took her name out of awards consideration following her own criticisms of the character's development.



Behind-the-scenes turmoil and overall negative public reaction to Heigl's criticisms of the show jeopardized her character's future, and she was eventually written off the series after Heigl requested a release from her contract, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.

This, in conjunction with Heigl's statements about working on the Judd Apatow film Knocked Up and rumors she did not show up to set on "Grey's Anatomy", had Heigl labeled as difficult to work with, but public opinion has eased up in recent years.

https://www.tvline.com/2061145/most-controversial-tv-show-exits/