ABC's "Private Practice" is officially ending after Season 6, showrunner Shonda Rhimes announced via Twitter on Friday.
The medical drama, which stars Kate Walsh, is currently airing on Tuesday nights. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it is currently averaging 6.1 million viewers and a 1.6 in the coveted adults 18-49 demo, having slipped noticeably from last season's average demo of 2.3. Walsh announced her intention to leave the show earlier this summer, placing the series' future in doubt, so the show's cancellation isn't entirely shocking news.
"I'm sad to say that Private Practice's run will end after episode 613 this season," Rhimes wrote. "There was a lot of discussion and debate but, in the end, the guys at the network and the studio and I all decided that Private Practice was reaching its finish line. Creatively, we are all extremely proud of the show and especially proud of this season -- which you will all soon discover is a creative renaissance. I can't wait for you to see it."
Rhimes continued, "It's heartbreaking to end. Truly. I feel so lucky to write for these characters and tell these stories and I truly feel this show has taught me so much as a writer. And there's a family here, of crew and cast, people who have bonded over these past five and a half seasons. It's rare for a show to go for more than 100 episodes and we are incredibly proud to have been such a show. And we're grateful to all of you for spending time with us for an hour every week for the last 6 years. It's meant the world. Thank you."
Rhimes currently has two other shows on ABC, "Private Practice's" parent show, "Grey's Anatomy," and the Kerry Washington drama "Scandal," which took "Practice's" post-"Grey's" timeslot on Thursday nights last season.
It's not all doom and gloom for ABC fans, however, as the network has also ordered additional episodes for a number of their more successful series, according to THR.
"Grey's Anatomy," "Modern Family" and "The Middle" will all receive two additional episodes this season, bringing their totals up to 24, while "Castle" will receive one, meaning a 23-episode season. ABC has also reportedly ordered two additional scripts for "666 Park Avenue" and "Last Resort," which have thus-far underperformed in their freshman seasons.
What do you think of ABC's decision to end "Private Practice"? Weigh in below!
