Rumors have been circulating for a while now that Shonda Rhimes medical drama Private Practice might be nearing its end. Back in June, Kate Walsh was quoted as saying that the sixth season would be her last for the Grey's Anatomy spin-off. Season 6 premiered last month and the series is currently in nearing the middle of its 13-episode run. Rhimes has confirmed today that the show is coming to an end.
Rhimes expressed heartbreak and gratitude in her announcement, which stated that Private Practice will end after Episode 13 of the current season. The decision comes after talks with the network and studio over the fate of the series. Here's the full announcement (via TVLine), which she posted on her website:
I'm sad to say that Private Practice's run will end after episode 613 this season. There was a lot of discussion and debate but, in the end, the guys at the network and the studio and I all decided that Private Practice was reaching its finish line. Creatively, we are all extremely proud of the show and especially proud of this season -- which you will all soon discover is a creative renaissance. I can't wait for you to see it.It's heartbreaking to end. Truly. I feel so lucky to write for these characters and tell these stories and I truly feel this show has taught me so much as a writer. And there's a family here, of crew and cast, people who have bonded over these past five and a half seasons. It's rare for a show to go for more than 100 episodes and we are incredibly proud to have been such a show. And we're grateful to all of you for spending time with us for an hour every week for the last 6 years. It's meant the world.Thank you.
Private Practice premiered in 2007 as a spinoff series to Rhimes' popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy. It followed Derek's ex-wife Addision Montgomery (Kate Walsh) as she left Seattle Grace to take a job working in a private medical practice. Ratings for the series started out strong but have slipped down over the years, with its current season bringing in about 6 million viewers per episode. The third episode of the season aired on October 9 and the series is set to return with a new episode next week.
With Kate Walsh's previously announced exit, this news doesn't come as a huge surprise, though fans are likely to be disappointed regardless. As Rhimes points out, the show made it past the 100-episode milestone, which is an admirable accomplishment. And fans have ten episodes left to enjoy the show before it's finished.
