Taye Diggs joins "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Taye Diggs will star opposite Kate Walsh in ABC's potential spinoff from hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy."

The show will test the waters as a back-door pilot, an expanded two-hour episode of "Grey's" slated to air in May. It will center on neonatal surgeon Addison Shepherd (Walsh), a character who has enjoyed a strong following from fans since she was introduced at the end of the hot surgical drama's first season.

It is understood that the back-door pilot episode will feature Shepherd on the verge of leaving Seattle Grace, a scenario that will be triggered if ABC goes with the spinoff for next season. There were no details on the character Diggs will play.

"Grey's" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes is writing the episode and is expected to shepherd the potential series. Meanwhile, Rhimes' other ABC pilot, about female journalists, has been pushed to a summer production start.

Diggs' casting in the "Gray" spinoff stems from a new talent holding deal he recently signed with ABC TV Studio, where "Grey's Anatomy" is based. He starred in two drama series for the studio, "Kevin Hill" for UPN and "Day Break" for ABC.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter