Heigl to return to 'Grey's' next season

LOS ANGELES, June 19 (UPI) -- Katherine Heigl will return to the U.S. hospital drama "Grey's Anatomy" next season, sources told The Hollywood Reporter.

Heigl's future on the show had been in question because her character, Izzie, was gravely ill in last month's Season 5 finale.

Media reports suggesting there was tension between Heigl and the show's writing/producing team fueled speculation regarding the possibility of Izzie's death and Heigl's exit from the ABC series.

Meanwhile, T.R. Knight, whose character Dr. George O'Malley was hit by a bus at the end of last season, will not be returning to the show for Season 6, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The entertainment industry trade newspaper said ABC declined to comment on the casting news.