Audra McDonald (Kidnapped) has replaced Merrin Dungey as Dr. Addison Montgomery's college pal in ABC's new series Private Practice.

According to Variety, Dungey played Dr. Naomi Bennett, an old chum of Kate Walsh's lead character, in the spring Grey's Anatomy episode that doubled as a backdoor pilot for Private Practice.

A rep for ABC Studios, which produces both series, told the trade paper that series producers have decided to go in a different direction and have hired the multiple Tony-winning McDonald to take over the role.

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