Will Katherine Heigl Return To ‘Grey’s Anatomy’? Actress Responds To Rumors Of Izzie’s Reappearance

Sorry, “Grey’s Anatomy” fans, but it looks like Izzie Stevens won’t be scrubbing in anytime soon on the plot of the hit ABC series. Or at least, that’s what Katherine Heigl said when she addressed rumors of her character's possible return to the long-running medical drama.

“There’s not. I’m sorry,” the 36-year-old actress responded to Entertainment Tonight’s question of whether or not there was any truth to the “swirling” rumors she was going to reprise Dr. Model. For five years, Heigl brought the character Isobel Katherine “Izzie” Stevens to life on the Shonda Rhimes-created series -- even earning an Emmy for her portrayal in 2007. But in 2010, the actress decided to hang up her scrubs and leave “Grey’s Anatomy” to pursue a new dream: expanding her family.

"We had big dreams of expanding our family, moving to the mountains and having a quieter life,” Heigl explained the dream both she and her husband Josh Kelly shared with Good Housekeeping in 2014. “Utah is spectacularly beautiful, the people are wonderful and kind, it's an easy commute from L.A. -- and there's no traffic!"

Entertainment Tonight then asked the former “Grey’s Anatomy” star if she would ever consider returning to the series. “I think that … I don’t know how to answer that. I’m sorry,” she said.

However, in 2012, Heigl sang a different tune when she dished to TVLine that she was very much open to the idea of slipping back into her surgical gown. “If they want me to return for an arc, I would love to know where Izzie is now,” she said. “It’s been a couple of years. I really hope she’s succeeding somewhere.”

Despite not having much to say on her “Grey’s Anatomy” character, Heigl did have an opinion on Patrick Dempsey’s heartbreaking exit from the series. (Derek Shepherd was killed off in a horrific car accident during the show's 11th season.)

“I just can’t even imagine a show without McDreamy,” she admitted. “I just can’t. It’s so hard to picture.”

But like Ellis Grey says, the carousel never stops turning!

“Grey’s Anatomy” will return with its Season 12 premiere on Thursday, September 24, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.