The actress -- whose "Grey's Anatomy" character Lexie died after a plane accident in the Season 8 finale -- had joined an NBC comedy pilot called "Holding Patterns," which coincidentally focuses on a group of friends whose lives change after they survive a plane crash.
But "Guys With Kids" actress Erinn Hayes has now replaced Leigh as Leah, "an irresponsible and absent-minded slacker who lacks direction despite her brains and sarcastic wit," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
THR reports that Leigh was under the weather for the pilot's initial table read so Hayes filled in. Once the "Grey's" alum returned for rehearsals, sources told THR that she "did not have the same chemistry with the rest of the cast."
Shortly after her "Grey's" exit, Leigh released the following statement to TVLine: "Earlier this year, I made the decision that Season 8 would be my last on 'Grey's Anatomy.' I met with Shonda and we worked together to give Lexie's story appropriate closure ... I look forward to my next chapter and I hope you will continue to follow me on my journey."
Time will tell if, when and where we'll next see Leigh on TV.
For Hayes, the "Holding Patterns" role is in second position to "Guys With Kids," which is on the bubble. Should NBC renew it, the pilot will have to recast the role of Leah again, but if "Guys With Kids" is cancelled, Hayes will appear in "Holding Patterns" should it get picked up.
It's the second recasting for the "Holding Patterns" pilot so far: "New Girl's" Nelson Franklin replaced "666 Park Avenue's" Robert Buckley, who left after the table read. According to Deadline, Buckley and Humphrey Ker, who had been cast as Griffin in the pilot, looked too similar. Franklin will now play Chad, Griffin’s and Leah’s "arrogant, misogynistic friend, now a successful chick-lit author."
