It's Kate Walsh's last season of "Private Practice" and everything is changing.
"I consider this to be our no-holds-barred season," Shonda Rhimes told TV Guide. "Anything that we have ever wanted to do, we're going to do. There are no rules. There's not going to be a single episode of 'Private Practice' that's considered a typical 'Private Practice' episode. This is our chance to really have some fun, be creative and really make every episode an out-of-the-box episode, which is what we're doing."
Walsh told EW that every episode this season is an "event episode" or follows the viewpoint of one character. If it's an event episode, Walsh said that means "everyone is involved in a big medical case or something outside of the practice that galvanizes the whole group." If it's an episode from one character's point of view it will be a more "personal storyline."
In the season premiere, Walsh said "huge news happens to every single character." "In a really great way," she said. "Not in a jumping the shark way. I want to be clear because I think sometimes, people are like, 'Oh, you’re going to push the bounds.' We’re not going to the moon, but we’re doing things that are totally in line with what would be realistic for these characters. But it’s really intense, and they include socio-political issues that come up that just are really kind of razor-edge, ethically debatable, and really killer storylines."
Caterina Scorsone told TV Guide to expect each episode to be unique.
"Every script is completely different from the format of the show last year and from each other in the season," Scorsone said. "It's like they're pulling themes out of a hat, and every episode is this totally new idea."
Walsh announced her exit from the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff in June 2012.
"This is my last season for 'Private Practice,'" Walsh told talk show host Bethenny Frankel. "It’s been an incredible journey and an amazing ride … It’s bittersweet. It's a huge chapter of my life.”
ABC had renewed the medical drama for a 13-episode sixth season, leaving many to think it was going to be the last season. While it may be the last season with Walsh, "Private Practice" may not be over yet.
"I have been told that I'm not allowed to think of us only doing 13 episodes," Rhimes told TV Guide Magazine.
"Private Practice" Season 6 premieres Tuesday, September 25 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
