The final season of ER is bringing back some of its original stars for guest spots, but Julianna Margulies won’t be among them. She says she was invited, but declined.
Margulies, who played nurse Carol Hathaway on the NBC hospital drama from its 1994 premiere, exited after six seasons. Her character left Chicago’s County General for Seattle, settling down with Dr. Doug Ross, who had been played by George Clooney.
“I feel like I left Carol Hathaway in the best scenario possible,” Margulies said Saturday, laying to rest speculation of her return. “I can’t imagine making it any better than that.”
In the farewell lap of its 15-season run, “ER” last week featured Anthony Edwards reprising his role of Dr. Mark Greene. NBC has announced upcoming appearances by fellow alums Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle, who will also direct an episode.
Still a mystery is whether Clooney, yet another charter cast-member, will be back. He left in 1999.
Margulies, 42, departed from the Los Angeles-based series in 2000 despite a reported offer of $27 million to stay for three more seasons. She expressed a wish to return home to New York and pursue other projects.
Wow, is she crazy!?
[...] According to Life & Style, Clooney and Margulies will reunite as “part of an effort to wrap up all of the original characters’ story lines” and that their episode will air toward the end of February, during sweeps. This is following news that Margulies won’t return. [...]