Katherine Heigl: I'll Stay If 'Grey's' Will Have Me

LOS ANGELES — Katherine Heigl said Friday she's ready to stay with "Grey's Anatomy" and the decision rests with the show.

Attending a studio party to mark the ABC medical drama's 100th episode, Heigl said it's premature to think her days as Dr. Izzie Stevens are numbered.

"I was assuming that at one point and I got a lot of shrugged shoulders and shakes of the head, so I don't know if that's a yes or a no. No one will tell me and I don't know how this is going to go," Heigl said, noting series creator Shonda Rhimes' passion for plot secrecy.

"I don't know if I live or die. I don't know how Izzie fares," said the actress, who's played the character since the show debuted in 2005.

"I'm there" if Izzie remains part of "Grey's Anatomy," Heigl said. She called the set "one of my favorite places to be" and said her colleagues are also friends.

She and fellow cast members, including Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey) and Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Derek Shepherd), were on hand for the celebration that included a cake decorated with scalpels and syringes made out of icing.

Rhimes, who's also an executive producer for the show, called the milestone a "huge accomplishment" and thanked the cast and crew for their efforts.

In an interview, she dropped a tantalizing clue about the episode airing May 7.

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"The only thing I'll tell you about the 100th is that it takes place on Meredith and Derek's wedding day," Rhimes said. "That's big ... and that's all I'm going to say."

On Thursday's episode, Izzie was seen surviving brain surgery. There's been speculation that Heigl wants to pursue her blossoming film career ("Knocked Up," the upcoming "The Ugly Truth") full-time, and that her character might be killed off.

Rhimes declined comment on what would happen to Heigl's character.

Last month, fellow cast member James Pickens Jr. said Heigl was leaving the show, along with T.R. Knight, both of whom declined comment at the time. Knight missed the studio party because he'd previously scheduled the day off, an ABC spokeswoman said.

On Friday, Heigl said she's comfortable balancing movies and TV by working on big-screen projects during the summer hiatus for "Grey's Anatomy."

"I'm more than happy to make that compromise. As my agent likes to say, 'High-class problems,'" Heigl said.

"I don't know if I want to continue for five years working 12 months a year, but I can take at least another year or two," she said.

Dempsey said he intends to fulfill the remaining two years on his contract with "Grey's Anatomy and "then we'll see what happens after that."

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On the net:

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Comments

[Delphine]

Oh, poor girl, working 12 months a year! Waaah!!

Like the rest of us.

Shut. Up.

Truly I think her comment about not being in the running for an Emmy because of the writing was actually meant to compliment the writers, to credit the material for propelling her to the top.

But this whining about working 12 months, I mean, give me a break.

[mamacat]

It can be impossible to definitively say what makes a show "click", but Grey's is doing it. Maybe they had better not mess with a good thing.

My opinion - Christina's former man did not seem real to me; for whatever reason, this new fella seems more believable. But, then, I have known only one or two surgeons, so what do I know.

[ponderingmuch]

I like her. I did not like (understatement) the stories that had her hotly going for either Gerorge or Dead Denny, but basically I like her. I think she is playing it smart.

[Madmac]

I guess she realized Exactly her worth outside of Grey's

[ocalasatpro]

So far, this is the 'truthy" post. She didn't like the idea of working 12 months until the movies dried up and the series started plans without her. And the movies have definitely dried up.

[mollybeejay]

I agree. She is another 2 bit actress with no talent. I can't stand her. I stopped watching Gray's. Won;t watch it again until she leaves.

[sheikwil4]

Hey, I'm with you, I can't stand her and that's why I stopped watching her. The show went down a lot when they let Isaiah Washington go over a lie that Katherine and her gay buddie told. He was not talking to his but, he was talking to Dempsey, so I hope they let her go.

[DRaymond]

I don't know, considering the general survival rate of patients at Seattle Grace I wouldn't be too optimistic!

[Judyisacutie]

Diva!

And I agree about Isaiah Washington. His departure left a hole in the show.

[jatta9901]

I agree please bring Isiah Washington back..

[ponderingmuch]

I say this politely and with respect for his fans: please do not, ever, bring him back. His behavior at the Emmy Awards the year Gray's Anatomy won was embarrassing to such a degree that I would not ever again imagine smart Cristina wanting to remove her gorgeous red lace panties for him.

[Sparty1]

You're taking this a little bit too seriously.

[starbright]

I could care less about an actor's behavior off-camera. I watched GA because I enjoyed the characters and the storylines. I never felt any curiosity whatsoever in the actors' attitude towards, gays, minorities, or hell, even Republicans. Act and shut up, I say. That was Mr. Washington's mistake. Whoever decided to run to the press about that little on-set flare up between Washington and Dempsey didn't help the show one little bit.

[Filegirl]

I've always been a fan of the show, but these last few episodes have been "have to watch it Thursday night", rather than, "I'll catch it later".

My favorite new couple is Christina and Owen. Its really brought out the compassionate and feminine side of Christina.

As far as this article goes, hilarious. I've always liked Izzie, but Heigl's ego wouldn't fit in the Rose Bowl. I guess her griping about the writing went out the window when she realized that they were more than happy to give her character cancer rather than kiss her butt.

[BrentyJ]

Cristina and Owen are my favorite couple as well. I've watched this show for less than a year and never found it worth giving my undivided attention until Owen arrived in the Season Premiere. I'm a bit disappointed in their storyline but they're terrific actors so I watch anyway. Izzie is my least favorite character but I'm indifferent as far as her leaving or staying on the show.

[listentome]

I hope Shonda doesn't change a thing. This season has been weird and great at the same time. I'm still hoping she will bring Isiah back to the show.

[BowlingForRevenge]

I agree... I don't like Christina's new "man", I loved her and Burke's Yin/Yang relationship.