HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Brooke Smith has been dropped from "Grey's Anatomy," reports Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello.
Smith, who starred as Dr. Erica Hahn on the hit ABC show, said the network's decision was a total shocker.
"I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore," said Smith, who tells EW that she received the shocking news in mid-September.
Smith's character recently began a lesbian affair with Dr. Callie Torres, portrayed by Sara Ramirez. Smith said she was perhaps "naive" in thinking that a gay storyline wouldn't ruffle any feathers in this day and age.
"I was very excited when they told me that Erica and Callie were going to have this relationship," the 41-year-old actress tells EW. "And I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV."
In a statement to EW, the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, denied the impact of sexuality into the decision to part ways with Smith.
"Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian," said Rhimes. "Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show — Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."
Smith's last appearance on the show will be Thursday's episode.
"My final scene is just me heading to my car," she tells Ausiello. "I honestly don't know what happens in the next episode."
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