Daly, 51, will appear on a special two-hour episode of the ABC drama that could serve as a springboard for a spinoff series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The spinoff would star Kate Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, ABC reps confirmed in February. Actor Taye Diggs has also signed on to appear in the expanded episode.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Daly’s character is described in a production breakdown as “handsome, sincere, like a McDreamy.”

Paul Adelstein, who plays double-crossing Secret Service agent Paul Kellerman on FOX’s Prison Break, has also been cast, although it’s unclear what role he will play.

Grey’s creator Shonda Rhimes is writing the special episode, details of which are being kept under wraps but which USA Today reports will feature Walsh’s character mulling an out-of-town job offer. Should the spinoff go forward, Addison will most likely accept the offer.

Daly most recently starred in ABC’s critically lauded drama The Nine.

More troubles on the set of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

A spinoff of the popular series is in the works that will feature actress Kate Walsh’s character, Dr. Addison Montgomery, and some other cast members reportedly are feeling blindsided and short-changed.

“The rest of the cast seemed instantly resentful of [Walsh],” a source told Star. “They each thought they’d be the one chosen to get their own show, and now they’re giving Kate the cold shoulder.”

The source adds that “Grey’s” star Ellen Pompeo “seemed particularly peeved because she felt that, as the star, she should have been consulted.”

The upset comes just as the storm over a furor over cast member Isaiah Washington’s gay slurs began to subside.

Laments the source: “Things had finally settled down and now everyone’s disgruntled again.”

Source

Earlier today People released a story regarding our beloved Izzie Stevens, which alleges that “Katherine Heigl has dropped out of contract talks with Grey’s Anatomy over salary” and that she is “disappointed that (producer) Touchstone doesn’t value her as much as her other costars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington.”

Well, I am happy to report to you that Katherine Heigl is not leaving Grey’s Anatomy. At least, not anytime soon. I’ve just spoken with various sources connected to the show, and they all confirm to me that Katherine is under a six-year contract—so legally, she does not have the option of leaving the show.

So, what happened? Well, according to sources and an official release from ABC Television, the network offered to bump Heigl’s pay to a higher amount than her initial contract. However, according to one well-placed show insider, “Heigl’s representation felt it unfair that she was still not being offered the same compensation as some of the other supporting actors are making. And so, obviously, someone leaked the story to People.”

Meanwhile, ABC Television just responded by releasing the following statement:

“Katherine is an integral part of Grey’s Anatomy and its success. Fortunately, we have a long-term contract to ensure she’ll be with the show for several years to come. In recognition of her tremendous talent and value to the show, we recently approached Katherine with an offer to raise her compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract. We were surprised to see this gesture reported negatively in the press, and want to reassure fans that she will continue as Izzie Stevens.”

Source

Katherine Heigl has dropped out of contract talks with Grey’s Anatomy over salary, a well-placed source tells PEOPLE.

“Katie is disappointed and hurt that (producer) Touchstone doesn’t value her as much as her other costars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington,” the source says.

Heigl plays Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevenson on the ABC hit medical drama.

A rep for ABC Touchstone TV had no comment.

Taye Diggs will star opposite Kate Walsh in ABC’s potential spinoff from hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The show will test the waters as a back-door pilot, an expanded two-hour episode of “Grey’s” slated to air in May. It will center on neonatal surgeon Addison Shepherd (Walsh), a character who has enjoyed a strong following from fans since she was introduced at the end of the hot surgical drama’s first season.

It is understood that the back-door pilot episode will feature Shepherd on the verge of leaving Seattle Grace, a scenario that will be triggered if ABC goes with the spinoff for next season. There were no details on the character Diggs will play.

“Grey’s” creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes is writing the episode and is expected to shepherd the potential series. Meanwhile, Rhimes’ other ABC pilot, about female journalists, has been pushed to a summer production start.

Diggs’ casting in the “Gray” spinoff stems from a new talent holding deal he recently signed with ABC TV Studio, where “Grey’s Anatomy” is based. He starred in two drama series for the studio, “Kevin Hill” for UPN and “Day Break” for ABC.

Source

Walt Disney Co.’s television network ABC has decided to pursue a spinoff of its popular medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

It will star Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, the sexy neonatal surgeon played by Kate Walsh, the paper said.

A two-hour pilot of the show, which could add millions in additional advertising revenue, is likely to air in May, the paper said.

Source

Man, what an episode! Sooo…..do you guys think Meredith is really dead? Check out what writer Shonda Rhimes had to say about last night’s episode, “Drowning on Dry Land.” From Grey Matter:

So, yeah, that was Denny and Dylan.

I’m trying to be all casual about it.

Like I don’t care.

Like, you know, Denny and Dylan, whatever…I’m cool, I’m good.

But I almost hugged Jeffrey Dean Morgan to death when he arrived on set.   He was nice about it considering the restraining order he should have taken out against me during Season Two.  I was glad to see him.  And I was glad to see Kyle Chandler who was gracious enough to fly out here and film on one of his very few days off from the very well-written Friday Night Lights. 

See, I miss Denny and Dylan.  A lot.   So it was nice to see them for a moment, wasn’t it?  Even if Meredith is dead?

You all have some pretty strong feelings about this.  I’ve been reading your comments.  STRONG feelings.  Which I respect.  Grey’s is in its third season and we’re doing something a little…different.  It’s about time we did.  Because, just as I said when you all shouted your horror about the Meredith/George sex, I remind you that we writers like to follow the characters here and we try very hard not to make story just to make story.  We like to have a point.  Meredith being dead is about…well, you will see what it is about next week.  She was in pain, this girl. And…

…okay, I don’t want to talk about that.  Meredith being dead at the end of this episode.  I can’t.  Not yet. 

What I want to talk about is the other interns.  Because they all take some truly interesting journeys.  Izzie and Alex especially.   Izzie’s is one my favorites.  I didn’t come up with the “rock star” line and I wasn’t standing on set when it was shot but that was one of my favorite Katie Heigl moments this season.   She’s good, that girl.  What I like about Izzie is that, right now, she’s fighting for George.  No one else agrees with her and she’s going about it all wrong but still…she truly believes her best friend is in trouble and she’s fighting to make him see it.  It may be none of her business but when do we stay out of the business of those that we love?  But I gotta admit, I adore Callie and in that moment, when Izzie tells George he made a mistake marrying Callie, I hate Izzie.  Just hate her.  But she’s a good person and she never holds her tongue and for that, I respect her.  But will George?

It’s interesting to see Alex dealing with this Jane Doe and her horrible, painful to watch face.  He’s got some growing to do, this guy and hopefully, we’ll see him begin to do that.  Plus, I love the moment when he tells Addison that he’d notice if she went missing. I don’t know that they are in any way right for one another but it was a kind thing to say to a woman he has heat with.  Cause, I don’t know if you noticed?  But Addison’s lonely these days and a little bit adrift.

The most interesting one to watch this episode is Derek.  I don’t know if you remember that in first season, he said to Meredith:  “You were like coming up for fresh air.  I was drowning and you saved me.”  It was good to be able to call that back (everything comes back around eventually on this show, I find) and to see what happens when Meredith is drowning.  He’s not Mer’s knight in shining whatever – he gets kicked out the trauma room where Richard and Bailey are working on her.   He’s forced to sit out in the hall, helpless.  And he’s seeing his worst nightmare come true.  Because he’s realizing:  Meredith has become so important to him and the prospect of losing her is terrifying.  Who is he if he isn’t the guy who rescues Mer?  Who is he when he can’t save a life?

Shoots With No Script was anxious about tonight.  Not in an obvious way.  In a Shoots With No Script kind of way.   All under the surface and mellow.  But I know he was.  ‘Cause I was anxious too.   We make these episodes and then we sit still, freaked out, and wait to see how it feels when it goes on the air.  It’s a little like having to speak in public and we never get used to it.  Because you all have a reaction.  And we care about that.

Also, because Shoots With No Script and I are both a teensy bit neurotic.  But you knew that…

-Shonda

Thanks Stacy for the tip! 

To see more NEW Grey’s Anatomy promo pics, go here! (more…)