Heigl not checking out of Grey's Anatomy

June 23, 8:33 AMKansas City TV ExaminerTimothy English

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Actress has three years left on contract

     Over the weekend, some news about the next season of Grey's Anatomy were let loose as the fates of two characters were revealed.  Since the show ended in May, Grey's audience was left wondering what would happen to Dr. Isobel Stevens and Dr. George O'Malley.

   Izzie, played by actress Katherine Heigl on the show, was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer in the brain and liver, underwent successful brain surgery during the finale but true to soap opera mythos, ended up losing her short-term memory and flat-lined as the show ended.

     Sources have told the Hollywood Reporter  that ABC has picked up the option on Heigl's contract, allowing her to continue on the medical drama.  The news comes as a surprise considering Heigl's strenuous relationship with ABC and the show's producers.

     Heigl earned an Emmy nomination in 2007 and launched her movie career, landing her roles in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up and the paint by numbers comedy 27 Dresses.  Since then she has apparently been unhappy with the lack of compelling stories being written for her character, even going as far as withdrawing her own  name for Emmy consideration last year.  During this past season, the show's fifth, Isobel's battle with cancer has been critical to the show's re-boost prompting Heigl to say publicly that she wants to continue on the show.

      Despite the resurrection of Heigl, it seems the news for T.R. Knight isn't as good.  It appears Knight, who plays Dr. O'Malley and was hit by a bus in the finale will not be back.

      ABC has not confirmed any casting for it's other flagship show.