Kate Walsh Poised To Depart ABC’s ‘Private Practice’ After 13 More Episodes

[Brian Damage]

It looks like Dr. Addison Montgomery, who left Seattle Grace five years ago to move to Los Angeles, will be packing again. I’ve learned that Private Practice star Kate Walsh plans to leave the medical drama after 13 episodes of the upcoming sixth season.

There had been speculation that Walsh, who has played the character of Addison for 7 years, starting on Grey’s Anatomy before she segued to spinoff Private Practice, had been looking to move on. Her deal was up at the end of last season and, after intense negotiations, she agreed to return but committed to only 13 episodes. That paved the way to ABC’s sixth-season renewal of the series, which also was for 13 episodes. I hear that Walsh is now ready to move onto other things after she completes her contractual obligation.

It is unclear whether Private Practice, which was built around Walsh’s character, would continue without her. When ABC renewed Private Practice earlier this month, speculation was that the sixth season would be the show’s last, but ABC has stopped short of announcing an end date for the series.

http://www.deadline.com/tv/

[JamesG]

Kate Walsh Confirms Exit: This Is My Last Season of "Private Practice"
Jun 12, 2012
by Lindsay Silberman


After weeks of speculation, Kate Walsh has officially confirmed that the upcoming sixth season of "Private Practice" will be her last.

The actress made the announcement on "Bethenny", the new daytime talk show from former "Real Housewives" star Bethenny Frankel. The interview will air on Wednesday.





In a clip released from the interview, Walsh says, "This is my last season for 'Private Practice'... It's been an incredible journey an amazing ride. I'm hugely, hugely grateful."

"It's been a long time being Addison," she continues. "I feel incredibly grateful to Shonda Rhimes and all the fans that have been there from Day 1 to now. I'm really excited about the last season."





The news doesn't exactly come as a surprise, as her exit had been rumored in May, days after Tim Daly (Pete Wilder) announced he's leaving the medical drama.

"There's a lot of budgetary issues on that show," "Private Practice" creator Shonda Rhimes recently told TVGuide Magazine. "We need to make sure the show is viable and that we can produce it."



"Private Practice" will return to its Tuesday timeslot at 10/9c this fall, and while the initial order was for 13 episodes, Rhimes says, "I have been told that I'm not allowed to think of us only doing 13 episodes."

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kate-Wal...t-1048800.aspx

[Reverend Jim]

[Family Ties Forever!]

I don't know if the show can continue without her since she's the center of the show.