Private Practice Exclusive: Audra McDonald Returning for Series Finale

Private Practicewon't say farewell without at least one familiar face coming back into the fold!

Audra McDonald will return for the series finale of the ABC medical drama, slated to air at the end of January, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

McDonald will reprise her role as Dr. Naomi Bennett, the best friend of Addison (Kate Walsh) and the former wife of Sam (Taye Diggs). Naomi left Seaside Wellness at the end of Season 4 and joined Fife (Michael Patrick Thornton) in New York. McDonald left the show to be closer to her New York-based family.

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Details on Naomi's return are being kept under wraps, but here's hoping that the only thing big enough to bring Addison's best friend back from the East Coast is a wedding — and not a funeral.

Are you excited Audra McDonald is returning? Are there other people you'd like to see return? Hit the comments!

Private Practice airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.