Audra McDonald will depart her role as “Naomi Bennett” on ABC’s hit medical drama Private Practice at the end of the current fourth season, TV Line said Wednesday.
The actress has commuted between New York and Los Angeles since the series’ premiere in 2007 and has decided to leave the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff so she can be closer to her family in The Big Apple.
“I have spent four amazing years working with the best cast and crew on television at Private Practice,” Audra tells the website. “Though I am stepping away from the series as a regular in order to spend more time in New York with my family, I am not closing the door on ‘Private Practice’ or the character, Naomi. I am beyond grateful to Shonda Rhimes, ABC, and the team behind the show.”
The Tony-winning star is the second series regular to leave the ABC medical drama following the death of Chris Lowell’s character, Dell, at the end of last season. McDonald says she may still make appearances on the Kate Walsh-assisted series as a guest star.
Private Practice airs Thursday nights at 10/9c.
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