Michael Parmelee/NBCIf we can't have Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) back on Grey's Anatomy, then this is the next best thing!
Heigl just booked her first post-State of Affairs TV role, and it's none other than a Grey's Anatomy reunion..though not the kind fans have been hoping for. E! News has learned that Heigl has joined the new CBS drama pilot Doubt from Grey's Anatomy executive producers Tony Phelan and Joan Rater.
Interesting to note: she will be replacing another Shondaland alum, Private Practice's KaDee Strickland, in the female starring role of the retooled pilot. The cast also includes Teddy Sears (the male lead who might also be recast), Dule Hill, Laverne Cox, Kobi Libii, Elliott Gould and Dreama Walker.
The buzzy CBS pilot was passed over for a series pickup in May, but the network reportedly still has high hopes for Doubt, hence this recasting news. Doubt is about Sadie (Heigl), a smart, chic, successful defense lawyer at a boutique firm who shockingly gets romantically involved with one of her clients who may or may not be guilty of a brutal crime.
Doubt is helmed by Phelan and Rater, who served as writers on Grey's Anatomy when Heigl still starred on the ABC drama for six seasons, until she left on not-so-great terms. Back in 2008, Heigl caused controversy by removing her name from Emmy consideration. Her reasoning behind the decision? Heigl felt that she wasn't "given the material to warrant a nomination."
Shonda Rhimes finally spoke out about the controversy four years later with Oprah Winfrey on Oprah's Next Chapter. "On some level it stung and on some level I was not surprised," Rhimes said of Heigl's decision. "When people show you who they are, believe them. I carry that [mantra] with me a lot. It has served me well."
Heigl's first big TV role since leaving Grey's Anatomy was her NBC series State of Affairs, which was canceled after only one season.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported this casting news.