Kate Walsh confirms her 'Private Practice' exit

By Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter

Kelsey Mcneal / ABC

"Private Practice" star Kate Walsh confirms that the upcoming season will be her last on the drama.

"Private Practice" star Kate Walsh confirmed rumors about her departure from the ABC medical drama during a visit to Bethenny Frankel's new daytime talk show "Bethenny."

"This is my last season for 'Private Practice,' yes," she told Frankel during Tuesday's visit. "It's been an incredible journey and an amazing ride. It's been a long time being Addison and I feel incredibly grateful to Shonda Rhimes and all the fans. ... I'm really excited about the last season."

More from THR: Kate Walsh might depart 'Practice' after 13 episodes

Reports first surfaced in late May when word leaked that Walsh would not return for more than 13 episodes of the long-running medical drama -- itself a spinoff of Rhimes' "Grey's Anatomy," where Walsh's Dr. Addison Montgomery first appeared.

The Disney-owned network renewed the series at the eleventh hour in May for what some have speculated would be an abbreviated run. But ABC has remained steadfast that the series could continue on beyond 13 episodes should it perform in the ratings -- something Rhimes confirmed to TV Guide Magazine.?

"I have been told that I'm not allowed to think of us only doing 13 episodes," she said.

More from THR: Tim Daly not returning for season six of 'Private Practice'

Walsh, during the interview, did not confirm just how many episodes she'd be involved with.

"Private Practice" will return for its sixth season without original cast member Tim Daly, who last month announced via Twitter that he wouldn't be returning. "Wonderful fans of PP. Shonda informed my agent today that Pete wont be returning for season 6. It was a great 5 yrs. R.I.P. Pete Wilder," Daly wrote.

More from THR: Rhimes: 'Private Practice' season finale will leave questions unanswered

Rhimes noted that budget constraints might have played a role in her decision to end Daly's time with the series. "There's a lot of budgetary issues on that show. We need to make sure the show is viable and that we can produce it. I feel as though Tim's character had a wonderful journey," she told TV Guide.

Watch the interview with Walsh:

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