The Real Reason T.R. Knight Left "Greys"

If you, like me, are a Grey's Anatomy fan and still wondering the real reason T.R. Knight got the axe this past season, wonder no more. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Knight spoke all about the real motives behind his exit from the hit show.

Apparently it all comes down to the series creator, Shonda Rimes. Rimes drastically cut his screen time, appearing only for 48 mins. in the season's first 9 episodes. Knight stated, “No other series regular’s character had ever disappeared like mine did this past season.”

Things all first started going south after the Isiah Washington incident, where Washington used an anti-gay slur against T.R.. It took Rimes 3 monthes to publicly condemn Washington. Knight also claims that Rimes was one of many who wanted him to stay in the closet, and him outing himself only strained their relationship more.

Knight states, “My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about his character, George]. There just comes a time when it’s so clear that moving on is the best decision.” And Knight is doing just that. He is moving on to theater, and leaving Greys in the past.

T.R. Knight Officially Leaves "Grey's Anatomy"

It's official! George O'Mailey is dead!! Entertainment Weekly has reported that Knight has officially been released from his contract. Rumors have been swirling since early in the fifth season of the show that Knight was unhappy with his diminishing story lines. This was suggested as something necessary for the shocker of a season finale, in which the audiences find out the John Doe who had been disfigured by a bus was really George. "I really wanted you to not notice that he wasn't there for most of this episode. I don't think anybody noticed because of the way we laid it out this season," Rhimes explained.

Now that we know the fate of George, curious minds want to know what will happen with Izzy, Katherine Heigl's character. She like George, appeared to have died in last season's finale. Also much like Knight, rumors have said that Heigl has also wanted off of the show. I guess we're just gonna have to stay tuned.

Katherine Heigl & T.R. Knight Leaving Grey's

Who will watch Grey's Anatomy now if two of its biggest stars announced they are leaving ABC's medical show? Katherine Heigl and BFF costar T.R. Knight are leaving Grey’s Anatomy. Both actors have asked to leave.

However, ABC needs to sign off on letting them out of their contracts, which extend six years, and that hasn't been done. Will you continue watching the show now if they're gone? Do you think the show will even be able to continue with its ratings anyway?

“Right now, the whole thing is in the hands of their agents and ABC’s lawyers,” an insider tells EW. “Something will probably be worked out soon, but it’s a safe bet that Katherine and T.R. won’t be returning as series regulars next season.”

The network and studio say they cannot confirm anything, and Katherine Heigl's and T.R. Knight's personal reps have declined to comment on the subject. Are we really saying goodbye to George and Izzie?

2/13/09 UPDATE: In a PEOPLE interview at the NAACP Image Awards, the show's creator Shonda Rhimes called the exit reports "interesting rumors," going on to say they're "not true." She went on to say that "rumors become fact very easily." So we're thinking that means that they are not leaving after all!