Grey’s Anatomy Star Isaiah Washington Will Not Return

NEW
YORK, June 8: Isaiah Washington, who stars on the ABC hospital drama Grey’s
Anatomy, and sparked controversy
last year for using an anti-gay slur against a fellow cast member, will not
return for the fourth season of the show.

According to Entertainment
Weekly magazine, ABC Studios has declined to renew Washington’s option to play
Dr. Preston Burke on Grey’s Anatomy, which won a Golden Globe this year for best television drama. An ABC
spokeswoman did not comment.

After a heated on-set
argument last year, Washington reportedly used an anti-gay slur against fellow
cast member T.R. Knight. In a public announcement shortly afterward, Knight
came out as gay and last week confirmed what Washington had said—and
initially denied.