 KaDee Strickland 's character , Charlotte King , who would be introduced in the spin @-@ off 's first season premiere , did not appear in the backdoor pilot . Her addition to the main cast was announced on July 11 , 2007 , prior to the commencement of the first season . She did not have to audition for the role , but was cast after a meeting with Rhimes . Also not present in the backdoor pilot was McDonald , due to her character , Naomi Bennett , being portrayed by a different actress , Merrin Dungey . However , on June 29 , 2007 , ABC announced that Dungey would be replaced , with no reason given for the change . The drama was titled Private Practice , and its premiere episode followed the second part of the season debut of Dancing with the Stars , and provided a lead @-@ in to fellow freshman series Dirty Sexy Money . Pushing Daisies , a third new series for the evening , rounded out the lineup as a lead @-@ in to Private Practice . The series ended its run in January 2013 after six seasons . 
