The sixth and final season of '' Private Practice'' premiered on September 25, 2012, with a limited run of thirteen episodes. ''Private Practice'' was renewed for a sixth season on May 11, 2012. In an interview, Shonda Rhimes stated that this season will feature: "a death, some babies, a likely return of a favorite and there could possibly be a wedding" with the rumored possibility of a musical episode and return of ex-cast member

Audra McDonald Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is an American singer and actress. Primarily known for her work on the Broadway stage, she has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, and is the only person to win in all four acti ...

. On October 19, 2012, after months of speculation, series creator

Shonda Rhimes Shonda Lynn Rhimes (born January 13, 1970) is an American television producer and screenwriter, and founder of the production company Shondaland. Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Rhimes became known ...

announced that the sixth season would be the final season of the show. It was confirmed that production wrapped on December 7, 2012, and that the final episode had been taped.

Development

''Private Practice'' was renewed by

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

for a sixth season, that was to have a limited number of thirteen episodes, on May 11, 2012. In July 2012, it was announced that ''Private Practice'' would premiere on September 25, 2012. On October 19, 2012, after months of speculation, series creator

announced that the sixth season would be the final season of the show. In late December 2012, it was announced that the series finale of ''Private Practice'' would air on January 22, 2013, and would feature Addison's wedding to Jake Reilly. After the finale, Shonda Rhimes spoke out stating, "The entire SEASON was a finale. Each episode (dedicated to each character) worked to wrap up their series-long arcs", and "Also, I had a very strong desire to NOT end the show. Not in the traditional where characters die or move away or shut down the practice", in response to fans stating that they didn't believe it was a true finale.

Cast

Main cast

* Kate Walsh as Dr.

Addison Montgomery Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery, Doctor of Medicine, M.D., Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, F.A.C.S., American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, F.A.C.O.G., previously known as Shepherd, is a fictional character who first ap ...

Benjamin Bratt Benjamin Bratt (born December 16, 1963) is an American actor. He is known for playing Paco Aguilar in '' Blood in Blood Out''. He had supporting film roles in the 1990s in ''Demolition Man'' (1993), ''Clear and Present Danger'' (1994) and '' ...

as Dr. Jake Reilly *

Paul Adelstein Paul Adelstein (born April 29, 1969) is an American actor. He is known for the role of Agent Paul Kellerman in the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox television series ''Prison Break'' and his role as pediatrician Cooper Freedman in the American Broad ...

as Dr. Cooper Freedman *

KaDee Strickland Katherine Dee Strickland (born December 14, 1975) is an American actress. From 2007 to 2013, she played Dr. Charlotte King on the ABC drama '' Private Practice''. Strickland began acting during high school. She studied acting in Philadelphia a ...

as Dr.

Charlotte King Dr. Charlotte King is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama '' Private Practice'', portrayed by KaDee Strickland. Initially, Charlotte is the Chief of Staff at the fictional St. Ambrose Hospital in Santa Monica. She tends to have an a ...

Brian Benben Brian Edward Benben (born June 18, 1956) is an American actor, best known for his role as Martin Tupper in the HBO comedy television series '' Dream On'' (1990–1996), and also known as Sheldon Wallace on ABC medical drama '' Private Practice'' ...

as Dr.

Sheldon Wallace Dr. Sheldon Wallace is a fictional character in the ABC drama '' Private Practice'', a spin-off of ''Grey's Anatomy''. He is portrayed by Brian Benben. History Sheldon's father was a surgeon. He originally wanted to be a surgeon but switched to ...

Caterina Scorsone Caterina Scorsone is a Canadian actress. She is known for her role as neurosurgeon Dr. Amelia Shepherd on the ABC medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy'' (2010–present) and its spin-offs '' Private Practice'' (2010–2013) and ''Station 19'' (2020– ...

as Dr.

Amelia Shepherd Amelia Frances Shepherd, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the ABC American television medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy ''and the series '' Private Practice'', portrayed by Caterina Scorsone. Amelia was introduced in Season 3 of ''Privat ...

Griffin Gluck Griffin Alexander Gluck (born August 24, 2000) is an American actor. Gluck began his career as a child actor in comedy films such as ''Just Go with It'' (2011) and ''Why Him?'' (2016). He had his first leading role as a comatose teenager in the ...

as Mason Warner *

Taye Diggs Scott Leo "Taye" Diggs (né Berry; born January 2, 1971) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the Broadway musicals '' Rent'' and '' Hedwig and the Angry Inch'', the TV series '' Private Practice'' (2007–2013), '' Murder in ...

as Dr. Sam Bennett *

Amy Brenneman Amy Frederica Brenneman (born June 22, 1964) is an American actress and producer. She worked extensively in television, coming to prominence as Detective Janice Licalsi in the ABC police drama series ''NYPD Blue'' (1993–1994). Brenneman ...

as Dr.

Violet Turner Dr. Violet Marianne Turner is a fictional character on the American television drama '' Private Practice'', a spin-off from ''Grey's Anatomy''. She is portrayed by Amy Brenneman. Storylines Season One Violet is a psychiatrist at the Oceanside ...

Recurring cast

Matt Long Matthew Long (born May 18, 1980) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Ezekiel Landon in the NBC/Netflix sci fi drama ''Manifest'' (2019–2023), and his roles in the television series ''Jack & Bobby'' (2004–2005), and the films ...

as Dr. James Peterson *

Justina Machado Justina Milagros Machado (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress. She began her career playing secondary roles on television and film before starring as Vanessa Diaz in the HBO comedy-drama series, '' Six Feet Under'' (2001–05), for wh ...

as Stephanie Kemp *

Carter MacIntyre Carter MacIntyre (born 1979) is an American actor, best known for television roles on the series, '' Undercovers'' and '' American Heiress''. His previous acting credits have included guest appearances on '' Smith'' and '' ER''. MacIntyre began ...

as Nick Calhoun *

Charlie Hofheimer Charles Nathan Hofheimer (born April 17, 1981) is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor, Hofheimer made his film debut in ''Lassie (1994 film), Lassie'' (1994), subsequently appearing in ''Boys (1996 film), Boys'' (1996) and '' ...

as Ron Nelson *

Chryssie Whitehead Chryssie Whitehead is an American actress, singer and dancer on Broadway, film and television as well as a passionate educator, director and choreographer. Early life and education Whitehead grew up in South Carolina. During her first year of ...

as Dana Nelson *

Diane Farr Diane Farr (born September 7, 1969) is an American actress, producer, and writer. Her television roles have included FBI agent Megan Reeves in '' Numb3rs'', the firefighter Laura Miles in '' Rescue Me'', and the division chief Sharon Leone in ...

as Miranda *

Aloma Wright Aloma Wright (born 10 March 1950) is an American actress. Her television roles include Laverne Roberts on the NBC/ ABC comedy series '' Scrubs'' (2001–2009), Maxine Landis on the NBC daytime drama series ''Days of Our Lives'' (2008– ...

as Mildred Clemons * Missy Yager as Megan Stewart *

Emily Rios Emily Rios (born April 27, 1989) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her role as Andrea Cantillo on the AMC series ''Breaking Bad''. In 2013, she began portraying newspaper reporter Adriana Mendez on the FX series ''The Br ...

as Angela Reilly *

Marianne Jean-Baptiste Marianne Raigipcien Jean-Baptiste (born 26 April 1967) is an English actress. She is known for her role in Mike Leigh's drama film ''Secrets & Lies (film), Secrets & Lies'' (1996), for which she received acclaim and earned nominations for the A ...

as Gabi Rivera *

Blue Deckert Blue Deckert is an American actor known for his roles in film and television. A native of Daisetta, Texas, Deckert has had supporting roles in ''Dallas'', ''Walker, Texas Ranger'', ''Friday Night Lights'', ''The Event ''The Event'' (stylize ...

as Joe Price *

Kylie Rogers Kylie Rogers (born ) is an American actress best known for playing the role of Minx Lawrence in ''The Whispers''. She also stars as Anna Beam in ''Miracles from Heaven''. From 2018 to 2024, Rogers had a recurring role as the younger version of t ...

as Sarah Nelson * Jack Bobo and Joey Bobo as Lucas Wilder * Emily Moss Wilson as Judi

Guest stars

as Dr.

Naomi Bennett Dr. Naomi Bennett is a fictional character on the ''Grey's Anatomy'' spin-off '' Private Practice''. She was initially portrayed by Merrin Dungey in the backdoor pilot ''Grey's Anatomy'' episode, "The Other Side of This Life", but was replaced by ...

Alex Rocco Alex Rocco (born Alessandro Federico Petricone Jr.; February 29, 1936 – July 18, 2015) was an American actor. Known for his distinctive, gravelly voice, he was often cast as villains, including Moe Greene in ''The Godfather'' (1972) and his Pr ...

as Ed Diamanti *

Robert Pine Robert Pine (born Granville Whitelaw Pine; July 10, 1941) is an American actor. He is best known as Sgt. Joseph Getraer on the television series ''CHiPs'' (1977–1983). Including ''CHiPs'', Pine has appeared in over 400 episodes of various tel ...

as Jim Wallace *

Richard Roundtree Richard Arnold Roundtree (July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film '' Shaft'' and four of its sequels, '' Shaft's Big Score!'' (1972), '' Shaft ...

as Raymond McCray *

L. Scott Caldwell L. Scott Caldwell (born Laverne Scott, born 1950) is an American actress perhaps best known for her roles as Deputy U.S. Marshall Erin Poole in '' The Fugitive'' (1993) and Rose on the television series '' Lost''. Early life Born the middle c ...

as Jillian McCray *

Alfre Woodard Alfre Woodard ( ; born November 8, 1952) is an American actress. Known for portraying strong-willed and dignified roles on stage and screen, she has received various accolades, including four Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and three Scree ...

as Dee Bennett *

Deanna Dunagan Deanna Dunagan (born May 25, 1940) is an American actress. While principally active as a stage actress, she has also worked in television and film. She is best known for her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Violet Weston in Tracy Letts' '' Augu ...

as Dr. Vivian Carlsmith *

Marisol Nichols Marisol Nichols (born November 2, 1973) is an American actress and former volunteer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, known for her roles as Principal Ramirez on the Nickelodeon animated series ''The Loud House'' as well as Nadia Yassir o ...

as Lily Reilly *

Lee Garlington Ann Leslie "Lee" Garlington (born July 20, 1953) is an American actress. Early life Garlington was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on July 20, 1953. She spent her teenage years in Wilmington, Delaware. Career She has guest-starred in a number of not ...

as Stella Peterson *

Faran Tahir Faran Haroon Tahir is an American actor. Tahir made his film debut as Nathoo in Disney's 1994 film ''The Jungle Book''. He went on to star in a variety of roles, such as Raza in ''Iron Man'' (2008), Captain Robau in ''Star Trek'' (2009), an ...

as Charles Kate Walsh 2011 crop

Following the renewal of ''Private Practice'', it was announced that

Tim Daly James Timothy Daly (born March 1, 1956) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Joe Hackett on the NBC sitcom '' Wings'' and his recurring role as drug-addicted screenwriter J.T. Dolan on ''The Sopranos.'' He starred as Pete ...

would not be returning to the show because of budgetary reasons, and his character would be killed off in the season premiere. In June 2012, Kate Walsh announced that she would be leaving ''Private Practice'' after this season, but suggested that the show could still go on without her. Cast mates

, and

all returned as their characters for the sixth season. In September 2012, it was announced that actor

had been cast in a recurring role as James Peterson, the new ER attending, and a potential love interest for Amelia. In September 2012, it was announced that

was cast as Sam's mother, Dee Bennett. After months of speculation it was announced that

was to return during the season finale, and reprise her role as

. In November 2012, it was announced that

was cast in a recurring role, for the last three episodes of the series, as Miranda, a love interest for Sheldon.

Plots

In the sixth-season premiere, Violet finds out that Pete hasn't shown up for court and assumes that he ran off, only to find out later that he had a heart attack jogging and died. Charlotte finds outs that she's pregnant but is happy because her IUD will most likely destroy the pregnancy, only to find out she's pregnant with triplets. As Charlotte and Cooper deal with having triplets, Violet has to cope with Pete's death and trying to raise her son by herself. Sheldon deals with the fact that he has prostate cancer, and falls in love with a fellow cancer patient who is terminal. Addison tries to make her relationship with Jake work while running into snags trying to adopt Henry, and she eventually proposes to Jake. Amelia, still dealing with the trauma of delivering a child without a brain, finally decides to give love another try when she meets a handsome ER doctor. Naomi's return complicates things for herself and Sam.

Reception

''Private Practice's'' sixth season opened up to 6.45 million viewers with a 1.9/5 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic. As of December 2012 "Aftershock" has served as the season's most viewed episode. "The Next Episode" so far is the seasons' and series' least watched episode, with 3.72 million viewers. In December 2012,

TVGuide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news. In 2008, the company sold its founding product, the ''TV Guide'' magazine and the entir ...

rated the final season of ''Private Practice'' with a B− grade, stating that

gave the series exactly what it needed when the series was beginning to feel 'stale'.

Episode list

Webisodes

Ratings

Live ratings

Live +7 Day (DVR) ratings

DVD release

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Private Practice Season 6 2012 American television seasons 2013 American television seasons Private Practice (TV series) seasons