Katherine Heigl is taking a leave of absence from Grey’s Anatomy. The controversial star will go on a five-episode hiatus from the award-winning medical drama to film her latest motion picture effort — the romantic comedy Life as We Know It — during the show’s upcoming sixth season, Entertainment Weekly has learned.

“Katherine is taking time off to film a movie. The producers at Grey’s have accommodated past things like that before. It’s a cast of 13 and it is a true ensemble so the show is mindful [of other commitments].”