Katherine Heigl’s portraying the character of Izzie Stevens stays probably the most hanging components of Gray’s Anatomy’s early seasons. However as a lot as Izzie’s storyline captured the hearts of the viewers, her hasty exit in Season 6 left many followers with an itch on their heads.
Over time, loads of rumors have come round as to why such an essential character exited Gray’s Anatomy with out a lot indication. Was it artistic variations, a private need/alternative, or one thing extra advanced behind the cameras?
Let’s dive deep into what truly went down and the way Heigl’s relationship with the sequence has grown since.
Izzie’s Gray’s Anatomy exit: What occurred on and off-screen?
On-screen, Izzie Stevens’ departure from Gray’s Anatomy was abrupt and hard-hitting. Simply when it appeared like her character arc was gaining movement —her battling with most cancers, getting married to Alex Karev, together with skilled struggles—she died out from the narrative that stored her plotlines going.
After a variety of hindrances involving her getting fired from Seattle Grace and the collapse of her marriage, Izzie left the hospital to begin a brand new while additionally sending divorce papers to Alex. Whereas her story was briefly revisited in Season 16, it was accomplished with out Katherine Heigl herself.
Nevertheless, behind the cameras, issues had been way more difficult for Heigl. A lot of Izzie’s exit appears to be traced again to Heigl’s off-camera challenges. In 2008, Heigl retracted herself from an Emmy competition, asserting that she hadn’t been given supplies, scripts, and storylines worthy of receiving a nomination.
This transfer generated stress, particularly with Gray’s Anatomy showrunner Shonda Rhimes, and led to rumors about Heigl’s disappointment with the present. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the rumors went on, and about that, her position was out of the blue being phased out.
Katherine Heigl opens up about leaving Gray’s Anatomy
Whereas alleged media experiences talked about on-set drama, disputes, and contract disagreements, Heigl later defined that the actual causes for exiting had been extra private.
Talking in interviews and with Lynette Rice’s guide, The best way to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Gray’s Anatomy, Heigl talked about how her alternative to depart the fan-favorite present was closely inclined by her shift in priorities after taking over the position of being a mom. She says;
“I went on household go away…and simply acquired to be a mother, and it modified my entire perspective…that was actually the turning level…”
In 2009, Heigl and her husband adopted their daughter, and this determination is what modified the whole lot. Initially, she deliberate on balancing being a mom and Izzie on Gray’s Anatomy.
Nevertheless, it will definitely turned clear to her that adapting to a more recent household dynamic with out interrupting the forged and crew’s work schedule could be a little bit of a activity.
In the end, Heigl demanded to finish her contract. Dissimilar to the net rumors about her by no means eager to return to Gray’s Anatomy, she highlighted that she by no means rejected to return to the set, however she needed an answer that might mix nicely for everybody concerned.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Heigl additionally talked concerning the expertise of being scrutinized as being ungrateful—a label that caught like glue to her after the Emmy dispute.
Recalling that point, she acknowledged dissatisfaction with how she let herself be seen whereas solely reiterating her appreciation for the alternatives given to her on Gray’s Anatomy as Physician Izzie Stevens.
“The ‘ungrateful’ factor bothers me probably the most. And that’s my fault… I allowed myself to be perceived that method. A lot about residing life, to me, is about humility and gratitude…I am simply so dissatisfied in myself that I allowed it to slide. In fact, I am grateful. How can I not be?”
May Izzie Stevens return to Gray’s Anatomy?
Regardless that Izzie’s departure from Gray’s Anatomy felt final for a few years, the doorways of the Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital should still be large open for an Izzie Stevens comeback.
Over time, Shonda Rhimes and Katherine Heigl implied that the pressure and tensions between them have mellowed down fairly a bit. Rhimes has even expressed sincerity in eager to see Izzie again in motion. Heigl herself has additionally proven nice gratitude for the present Gray’s Anatomy.
Whether or not or not she’s ever seen on Gray’s again once more stays to be seen.
Katherine Heigl’s option to exit Gray’s Anatomy was molded because of private priorities her exit left many questioning her true intent. Nevertheless, the doorways nonetheless stay open for Izzie’s return.
Edited by Debanjana