Citing multiple sources, E! Online reports that T.R. Knight, whose future has been the subject of great debate, will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season.
Knight's departure shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
Not only was George flatlining at the end of the season finale earlier this month, but the 36-year-old actor has reportedly wanted off the hit ABC series for some time.
According to reports, tension between T.R. Knight and Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes became unbearable for both in recent months.
Knight, an original member of the Grey's Anatomy cast, was said to have become increasingly frustrated by his character's lack of storyline and camera face time.
In December, he asked to be let out of his contract.
Grey's Anatomy insiders say Knight made no secret that he wanted off the show. No word on any future projects for Knight, but he will be free to pursue other things.
Reps for Knight and ABC declined to comment.
Knight's best friend, co-star Katherine Heigl, whose character was also in limbo as the season ended, is supposedly still waiting to learn her fate with Seattle Grace.
Rhimes suppposedly began contemplating an early death for Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens in July after Heigl took herself out of the running for last year's Emmy Awards.
Her reasoning was that the writers failed to give her good enough material to work with, igniting a storm of criticism and speculation that she wanted off the show.
For what it's worth, Entertainment Weekly recently reported that Heigl will submit her name for Emmy consideration this year for her work as cancer-stricken Izzie.
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107 Comments
May 28th, 2009 8:01 AM
Won't believe it until either TR Knight or shonda actually confirm it.
May 28th, 2009 8:26 AM
I agree with you Gracey, I won't believe it until I see it... but it wouldn't surprise me. Sad.
I am also a little confused as to why you would take yourself out of the run for an Emmy, AN EMMY!!!!? Nice catty way to make a point, I guess.
May 28th, 2009 8:28 AM
it makes since that George would die because his face was so disfigured, so putting on the make up would be too expensive and they would have to write a storyline for him without him talking, it would just be too much work for George O'Malley to return.
May 28th, 2009 8:39 AM
I'm sorry, I'm sorry all these selfish actors think about is themselves, and never the fans, those fans who gave success to the show that brought fame to them.
I really liked George, I'll miss him.
Now, I only hope Izzie dies too, I can not stand Katherine Heigl and her character. It's the most annoying thing in GA.
And I'm sick of all the controversy these too always bring to the show, that make some people don't take the seres seriouly. All these years, everytime there was some kind of controversy these two were in the middle of it. I'm tired of the divas so I'm happy if they go.
May 28th, 2009 8:40 AM
I'm with Gracey-- I will hold to refusing to believe this until official word comes from TRK himself, Shonda or ABC.
This would be a tremendous loss for the show. George is the heart and soul of the fab 5 -- how do you take the G out of MAGIC? TR's incredible acting and warmth and depth has brought George alive for all of us-- many fans love George. The hole left by his death would be gaping... I don't think this ship will stay afloat w/o him.
b-t-w-- this source is screwy-- his info. about the show is incorrect... we never saw a flatline for George at the end of the finale... ever time a monitor showed a flatline, it said Stevens, Isobel. The worst we heard was in surgery,they said "we're losing him"...
Anyway, I've said it before, I'll say it again. TRK and KH-- George and Izzie are IMPERATIVE to the show. I want both Izzie and George to live. Period.
May 28th, 2009 9:20 AM
I thought the same thing, greysaddiction. George WAS NOT flatlining. Izzie was. The last thing we hear in George's OR is Derek saying "let´s put him under".
I refuse to believe in rummors. He will remain alive to me untill I see him dead.
I was reading some old posts from greyswriters.com and at the end of season 4 Shonda says "The end of Season Five? Pitched. I’m not teasing you by saying that. Not teasing by saying Season Five will be the most exciting, fly by the seat of your pants/skirts, “Oh My God Did That Just Happen???!” Season of Grey’s Anatomy EVER." (you can find it here: http://www.greyswriters.com/2008/06/index.html)
So, I stand by my earlier remarks that all that crap about George not having enough screentime, or TR and KH wanting to leave was just staged. STAGED!! Staged because of season´s finale hang-cliff. And I will believe it untill the beggining of next season. They will live. The writter are not stupid to let them leave.
And ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson said that they're both signed on.
May 28th, 2009 9:40 AM
Marc Malkin reported last year TR was getting married when, in fact, he was hosting a marriage equality rally. He must've changed his blog also because when I read it he claimed credit for being the first to report the Izzie cancer storyline. Ausiello and Perez Hilton among others mentioned it earlier. If he has impeccable sources why can't he confirm himself that KH submitted herself into the Emmy race?
May 28th, 2009 9:42 AM
This is a hunk of B.S. I'm with Gracey.
May 28th, 2009 10:44 AM
If there is any truth to this I will be heartbroken...George is one of my favorite characters on the show. George did not flat line on the finale, Izzie did. Someone said "we're losing him" about George in the OR but there was no flat line so I am going to take this spoiler with a grain of salt until I hear it confirmed by someone like Shonda or TR.
The finale set up what looks to be a promising storyline for George next season - a love interest, recovery after a horrific accident, and the possibility of him enlisting in the army eventually.
I hope George and Izzie both survive because I like them both, but what bugs me is if Izzie lives it will seem kind of soap operaish because her cancer is so far advanced that her chances for survival are pretty slim. It is more believable that she would die or wind up on life support like her cancer friend on the finale imo.
May 28th, 2009 10:46 AM
I swear all of this drama just makes me sick of the show. I don't want T.R. to be unhappy in his workplace, but I don't want him to leave either. If he does want to leave, I hope that they find another way to do it other than him dying. There are so many other ways to do it, and it would leave the door open for a possible return.
Not to mention, if any of the Fab 5 dies, it is just a lose/lose situation. Either everyone is in mourning for half of the season and it is depressing or they just get back to normal as though that person never existed. Neither of those options make me want to return in the Fall.