This is Spoilers Anonymous In-Depth, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we discuss and give our two cents on recently released spoilers and how they may affect the storylines, shows and fans.

This in-depth version of the column goes hand-in-hand with our weekly spoilers column, in which we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air.

This week, we discuss spoilers about a regular character leaving the series at the end of the current season of 'Private Practice.'

In early February, we learned that Audra McDonald, a regular cast member, would leave the series at the end of the current season to spend more time with her family in New York. The door will remain open for her to return as a guest star next season.

When ABC announced that Audra McDonald would replace Merrin Dungey as Dr. Naomi Bennett, a lot of fans were outraged. Dungey had a good following from her stint on 'Alias' and fans, including myself, wished the 'Private Practice' Powers That Be had given her a few episodes to get used to the role of Naomi.

I eventually got used to McDonald playing Naomi. However, I never ended up in liking and caring for the character. McDonald is a talented actress but, as fellow TV Squadder Catherine Lawson mentioned a few weeks ago, the writers "turned Naomi into a completely unlikable and judgmental character." I don't know about you, but I was actually happy when Naomi's screen time was recently reduced to allow McDonald to be with her family in New York.

If writers can't make a character likable, then the he or she should be written off. Luckily for us and the writers, McDonald asked to be let go from the series.

It is unknown how Naomi will exit but it wouldn't be surprising if she decides to move to another city to take care of the foundation or because of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Another possibility is that she moves to New York to be with Maya, who might attend Columbia. It will be interesting to see how the other characters cope with her departure, since Naomi helped found the practice. And even if she eventually approved of Addison and Sam being together, Naomi's departure will present one less obstacle for them; with her out of the picture, that relationship might take different turns.

The upside to Audra McDonald possibly returning as a guest star means that writers will more than likely have her return when something meaningful happens, like with her daughter or grandchild. This might help make Naomi a tad more likable -- as long as she doesn't judge people instantly upon her return without getting all the facts first.

As you can see, I'm all for Naomi's departure -- are you? Do you think it will help or hurt the show? How do you think she'll depart? Share your two cents in comments below!


'Private Practice' airs on Thursdays at 10PM ET on ABC.

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