Exclusive: Audra McDonald to Exit Private Practice
It looks like Private Practice‘s Addison is going to be in the market for a new BFF.
In what is by all indications is a completely amicable split, Audra McDonald is leaving the Thursday-night ABC drama at the end of the season to be closer to her family (including 10-year-old daughter Zoe) in New York. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the last of her Private Practice character, Naomi.
Huh? Allow me to explain.
Although the four-time Tony-winning powerhouse will be losing her series-regular status, there’s a very good chance she’ll be back in a guest-star capacity next season.
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“I have spent four amazing years working with the best cast and crew on television at Private Practice,” McDonald tells TVLine exclusively. “Though I am stepping away from the series as a regular in order to spend more time in New York with my family, I am not closing the door on Private Practice or the character, Naomi. I am beyond grateful to [series creator] Shonda Rhimes, ABC, and the team behind the show.”
Rhimes in turn says, “We are so appreciative of Audra and her talents and look forward to having her return to Private Practice as often as possible. Audra has been a bicoastal commuter throughout our four seasons on the air, and, ultimately, we respect and appreciate her desire to spend more time with family in New York.”
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McDonald’s departure shouldn’t come as a complete shock to fans. For the past two seasons, the actress’ presence on the show has been scaled back as producers strived to mitigate her hellish cross-country trek.
Thoughts? Are you sad to see Naomi go? How do you think her reduced presence will be accounted for? And do you care to guess which Broadway revival McDonald should headline next? Hit the comments!
Honestly? I don’t know she’s there unless she actually speaks. If you ask me, she’s not gonna be missed, atleast not by me.
While I hate Sam and Addison together, Naomi drove me nuts in s3. I cannot stand Amelia, however.
Oh man, every time she came on the screen talking about how she was literally going to kill her daughter…
So terrible.
Uggh…..Amelia is the WORST!
I agree Amelia literally has no point to the television show whatsoever. I do not understand the purpose of her role. As far as Naomi is concerned, she hasn’t been a huge part of the show as of late, so I don’t think her departure will be a huge loss.
I think Amelia’s character is refreshing in a cast that is all attached with each other. Besides Sheldon she is the only single person after Naiomi leaves. Why does she have no purpose? Because she doesnt have a boyfriend on the show who’s also a doctor in the same practice?!
Couldn’t agree more. I absolutely DO NOT buy her as a neurosurgeon and can’t believe she was cast. She really needs to go.
Amelia is was to young to be a neurosurgeon. She has not business being on the show.
If you hate all the characters then why do you watch?
Thank you!!! Like really stop bitching and find something you like to watch.
I thought she was great. Her character seemed like a smart person, often the only sensible, down-to-earth person when crap happened (like Charlotte getting raped). Sorry to hear she won’t be on the show much but her decision makes sense considering the amount of travel she had to do to be on the show.
i will miss the character not the actress. Audra is a wonderful actress, but does NOT fit in with the cast. A smaller more feminine african american actress would work well.
What does “A smaller more feminine african american actress would work well” mean? She is a beautiful woman and fits perfect in the cast.
I’m with you Nicole WHAT does it have to do with it!!*blank stare
Audra fits her character perfectly!!! U must not have grasped the tone of the show if you think Audra doesnt suit Naomi’s character….And plus her daughter in the show could not look more like her.
Wtf! really as a black woman your statement is appalling.
I love the fact that she is dark skinned and not half white….not all black women are Hallie Berry types and no offense to my half black sisters out there but viewer’s need to know that black women of all shades and sizes are beautiful.
African American
Women come in all shapes and sizes although that’s not the issue. Audra McDonald is clearly a healthy, toned and beautiful WOMAN. I enjoyed her character and I will miss watching her on the show.
I’m with Nicole & Yvette. What does her size have to do with it? She’s beautiful, talented & seemed to be more ethical and down-to-earth than the rest of them. This just gives me more reason NOT to watch. The whole month+ hiatus during Christmas ans January. Thursday used to be my TN night with Grey’s & Private Practice. Now that I have done this long without new episodes, I’ve found other things to do on Thursday nights. Thank you
what do you mean by that? Audra is perfect, in fact: the 1st Naomi (If you guys remember from the 1st crossover) SUUUCKED!!
Oh what…a smaller, more feminine “white-like” African-american. Do acting skills carry no merit at all? McDonald is a wonderful actress!! R U?
This is such an offensive comment. Audra is gorgeous. She has a fantastic body and is very feminine. Whoever wrote this is, frankly, an idiot. Not everyone in the world prefers women with tiny, boney, waif-like, little-girl-ish bodies…just ask my husband.
Audra is gorgeous! Beautiful face, body and very professional.She is an outstanding actress. She will be missed!
Audra McDonald as Naomi and her wonderful acting opposite Taye Diggs was the best reason to watch this show. The entire cast is gonna suffer as a result of her intermittent appearances on the show. As a member of the original cast she made this show a success. Her relationship with Addison was a good as they portrayed best friends who are loving and honest towards one another as well respectful of each other professionally. I applaud Audra for putting her family first and I look forward to seeing her on Private Practice as often as possible. I’ll probably record the show and look at the episodes with Naomi in them. Because no one carries this show for me like Naomi, Addison, and Sam.
Correction. Audra is not an original cast member. For a few weeks her role was played by Merrin Dungee…formerly Kelly from “King of Queens”. Does anybody else remember that?
Merryn only did the back door pilot that was done as an episode of “greys anatomy”! audra has been with the series from day one!
Actually Merrin only appeared in two episodes and she was promptly replaced by Audra. I am a huge fan of both women. Audra for her concerts and broadway and Merrin for her comedic acting on king of queens and malcom in the middle. Merrin however was not a good fit for the dramatic acting needed for PP. I watched the show b/c I’m a fan of Audra … But I’ve been irritated by her role as a mere supporting character with no storyline of her own … But she’s making the best choice for her family which is admirable. I wish her the best and look forward to seeing her next broadway show!
I also love the character Naomie in the show and love her with Sam. I was hoping they’d reunite and was hopeful after the kiss in episode 16. Sam & Adi are a terrible match. Plus, I have to admit I love seeing how sculpted Audra’s arms are. I’m envious of the great shape she’s in. I’ll definitely miss her.
I love Audra as Naomi her character is level headed, kind, generous,I don’t think you should always just listen to what people say but how they say it…feel the vibes…..she would make an awesome friend in real life….as to her being smaller…why? She is perfect just the way she was made. I think her daughter is a lucky little girl, to have a Mom that cares so much for her.
.
I regretted seeing her role scaled back. Now that she’ no longer on the show as a regular, I will stop looking at the show.
Four-Time Tony Winner!
Seriously…who WINS four times?! It’s insane. But she is insanely good, so go figure…
Audra, your fans are eagerly awaiting the next Original Cast Recording.
I’m sad to see her go. She provides the best head of reason on the show. When she hugged Charlotte. *tear*
Thank goodness. She was an absolute drag on the show for most of last season, her character seeming to be actually insane. Plus they dropped her romantic storyline with Gabriel Fife, which was a highlight. Right now she’s not adding anything to the show so having her in a possible recurring capacity will make for much stronger storylines when she does return.
Yeah that’s a good point, if they only have her for a few episodes next season then they’ll make those really count. And her relationship with Fife was really the only interesting thing for her character last season, it bugged me there was really no closure for that this season.
She hasn’t had much of a story line lately anyway. However, I’m happy to know she will return occasionally.
aww. i wanted her and sam to get back together!
Me too I shall miss her but understand her reasons for leaving
Understand her need to be with her family, but will miss her. Glad to know she will still make appearances. I think she is an absolutely beautiful woman. Had always hoped she and sam would find their way back together. I don’t like the Sam and Addison thing either.
I did too!
Me too!
Definitely saw this coming…ever since that crap storyline with that old dude in Germany I could tell she wasn’t going to be on the show much longer. It is nice to know she’ll still be around for some appearances though.
As sad as I am to see her go, hopefully this means she will go back to Broadway!
AGREED.
honestly, this is the best thing ever to happen to an actor stuck on one of Shonda Rhimes’s shows.. to be free!
Audra McDonald is an extremely talented actress and her talents were pretty much put to waste on Private Practice. Every.single.actor.on that show is sadly written to waste. Paul Adelstein? Amy Brenneman? Kadee Strickland? and of course, Kate Walsh? All sadly wasted.
Shonda Rhimes has reached her expiration date. Time for TV to axe her shows and make way for newer, better shows. Her actors deserve to be set free from doomed pointless storylines.
anyway .. congratulations, Audra! We’ll surely see you be awesome on Broadway again.
Very sad.
Definitely don’t care. She is the least interesting character on the show.
Agreed!
Disagree…..wholeheartedly disagree with this statement. She is an awesome actress as evidenced by four Tony awards.
Well, I STRONGLY disagree with the first part of your statement, and TOTALLY agree with the second. Audra is a totally awesome actress on Broadway (I’ve seen most everything she’s done there), but her ROLE on Private Practice was a TRAGIC WASTE of her talent!
I saw it coming when they hired Amelia. Amelia will be Addie’s new BFF. Best of Luck to Audra!
oh God help us…amelia? She’s so annoying.
Why does everyone say Amelia’s annoying? I don’t find her the least bit annoying. On the contrary, I find that at times though she exudes some immaturity, she does make level-headed gestures e.g. relating to Addison, refusing to ‘go all the way’ with silly Cooper, in her work ethic,etc. She is just a girl who wants to have fun. Very down-to-earth, real and cute, in her own way.
… and very often misunderstood. (like many young people today) Wait to you see her blossom!
I’m not really surprised. I felt like she was being phased out this season, and to tell you the truth I am kinda over her high and mighty routines with Addison. She’s not a very good friend. On another note Amelia has filled Addison’s bff role this season really well, I really like her!
Wouldn’t want a friend as judgmental as Naomi. 1st few seasons she was hot. But where does she get off telling Addison she had relationship issues…she must too if she’s divorced from the gorgeous Sam!!!
@ Jeannie: Just a quick reminder about Naomi and Sam’s divorce. According to the back story on the pilot, Sam decided “…he just didn’t want to be married anymore.” In facet for much of the first two seasons Naomi was still in love with Sam and definitely unhappy about being divorced.
Right Jennie, I have no idea what they are talking about. Are we watching the same show b/c I’m lost lol. Addison is a tramp and if u remember what she did on Greys Anatomy to her ex which was slept with his BFF then slept with her BFF husband nothing should be said about Naomi not being a good BFF.. CONFUSED LIL PEOPLE
Well, that isn’t the whole story. Also, recall that: According to Sam, Naomi didn’t fight for them. She didn’t do ‘all she could’ to try to make it work. True, he wanted out (due to his gradual disenchantment from her after the whole episode in the surgery theater where he ‘intentionally’ let his molester patient die on the table) BUT like Naomi also said, ‘Why should I fight for this marriage when I am not sure we love each other any more?’ So, it is not just Sam’s fault per se. She too felt the love was gone hence the marriage not worth fighting for. I am not siding with Sam against Nae. Just saying that it takes two.
Completely agree. She’s very judgmental yet claims to be friends (if not best) with Addison. No person would do that. If you don’t like a person as much as it comes off as her not liking Addison, then you normally aren’t friends.
I’m iffy on Amelia, but I think it’s because I see her and still see Alice, lol.
What are you talking about not a good BFF,,,WTH are you all tripping off. Addison is not the GOOD BFF for sleeping with her man but you people do stuff like that.
She’s a very tolerant friend to Addison who likes to whore around with everyone, she went too far in fooling around with Sam. I would not want a BFF like Addison. As for Amelia, I hope she doesn’t last another season, I can’t stand her character, she’s just annoying.
NAOMI’s not a good friend??? You got it all twisted….since when is it ok to hook-up with your best friend’s ex-husband?!? Addison’s a bed-hoppin’ ho!!! I couldn’t stomach her on Grey’s!!!!
High and mighty??? Please, Addison is a who-bag! Glad someone finally told her so!
I hope this means we’ll see Audra back on Broadway again!!! Audra’s fabulous talent has kinda been wasted on Private Practice.
I liked her with SamN but that is no longer… I hope she is happy and finds her way back to Broadway. I like her character and will look forward to her guest star appearances.
I am so sad to hear that she is leaving! I dont know if I’m the only one but I really wanted Naomi and Sam to get back together! I think they would be a really cute couple but I wish her all the best and at least its for her to spend time with her family…
Me too!!!
You are not the only one. I wanted to see them get back together too.
As did I…, I would have liked to see Sam and Naomi reunite. And for all of those previous comments that suggest that she’s judgmental towards Addison. HELLO!!! They’re best friends and now Addison (slutfully) and so easily is able to slip into the arms of her so-called best friends ex-hubby?!?!? Not a true friend in the least… I absolutely love how Naomi keeps it real w/Addison w/regards to Sam. She will be missed! I hope that she will return to Broadway and I wish (Audra) the very best…
RIGHT!! I’m with you and you know I had to say something on those previous comments about her lol…
Right!!! You know I am with you on this one and had to respond to those previous post about her. These folks are confused for real.
I agree. I also felt Sam and Naomi belonged together. They balance each other out personality wise. I do not think Sam and Addison belong together they do not fit, it feels uncomfortable every time I see them in bed together. Sam deserves better! He has always been such a great guy and Addison well I think she is too emotional and does not know right from wrong when it comes to relationships. Medicine yes she is a wonderful doctor but terrible when it comes to people skills. I am surprised that Naomi continued to stay friends with her after she got together with Sam. I personally would have shut her out of my life, it was not realistic.
I wish Audra the very best and hope she finds a lot of happiness being with her family.
Me too. I wish she and Sam could have gotten back together!
I think many wanted to see Naomi and Sam back together, but since they aren’t this new arrangement should work out just fine, with Audra making guest appearances as Naomi. She is one of the original founders of the practice and I’ve personally enjoyed her performance. She is a great actress and takes good physical care of herself, just look at her strong arms! She’s her own person :) you go, girl!
She should do Miss Grace again in the revival of Annie they’re planning!!!!!
Yeah this doesn’t come as much of a surprise, she hasn’t really played a big role this season. It’s good they’re not completely getting rid of the character though.
I actually liked her. She was one of my favorites on PP and how she called on everyone’s action. This is sad. Will miss her.
She won’t be hurting for work, that’s for sure.
Amen!!!
Argh! Just means Addison has free reign to cheat with all Naomi’s ex’s. Boooo!
Maybe they should’ve stuck with Merrin Dungey from the original pilot. I do like Audra McDonald, though.
I am going to miss her. She was the reason that I watched the show. This show will definitely be missing something when she leaves.
Here’s a question: why accept a job in LA if you’re not going to relocate there? I mean, now the writers have to write her out, then bring her back for what is surely going to be awkward episodes. I feel bad for the rest of the cast and crew.
Lots of high-profile people live “bi-coastal”, and it’s very likely that Audra didn’t want to completely up-end her family’s New York life for what essentially would be an unknown amount of time. Acting jobs are hard that way. I remember when I was a kid my dad spent a year or two pretty much working in NYC as the rest of the family continued to live in South Florida, and he would fly in every weekend, just so we could have continuity with school, friendships, etc. It’s not completely unheard of or even very uncommon.
Which further supports the original post: if you can’t deal with the commute, why accept the assignment? If you accept the torrid life of the actor then live it fully not just when it’s convenient for you. No idea what’s keeping her in New York unless it’s a more lucrative assignment in the near future but I would not hesitate to move to LA along with the whole family not only because it’s just so much more awesome there but because it’s what I signed up for as an actor.
Actors don’t always seem to have the capacity to realize what certain characters they play mean to their viewers and how they are letting them down by flaking out on their original commitment.
Well, apparently she has also acted in many Broadway productions and that is obviously based in New York. Also, perhaps she had no idea how popular PP would be when she first auditioned. It would have been foolish to relocate her entire family and life to CA only to find out that the show was then canceled.
She will definitely be missed. So sad.
sad indeed
I hope that even if she is recurring they give her an awesome exit!!!
Even though she is going to be recurring I hope that they give her an awesome exit!!
blind item revealed