'Grey's Anatomy' creator Shonda Rhime has agreed to release Katherine Heigl from her contract with the show, Entertainment Weekly reports.

The actress, who has played the character of Izzie Stevens since the show's premiere, says that she wants to focus on her movie career.

Entertainment Weekly also reports that Heigl was scheduled to return to the set on March 1 to film the final five episodes of the current season, but did not show up.

Heigl had been granted extended leave by 'Grey's Anatomy' producers after she adopted a baby daughter.

ABC Studios and Heigl's representatives are still to negotiate a final exit agreement.

The split comes after a long history of turmoil between 'The Ugly Truth' star and the show that made her famous.

In 2008, Heigl took a swipe at 'Grey's Anatomy' writers when announcing that she would't enter the Emmy race because the writing wasn't up to her standards. She also has publicly complained about the working conditions on the set of 'Grey's' after a 17-hour-long day of filming.