Chyler Leigh Joins Cast of Grey's Anatomy

We now interrupt this increasingly Zac Efron-centered celebrity news publication to bring you a story about a new cast member on a popular television series.

Meredith Grey may have one more thing to worry about in the upcoming season of Grey's Anatomy. No, we're not talking about eating too little or whining too much.

We're talking about actress Chyler Leigh joining the show as Lexie Grey, Meredith's half-sister and a new intern at Seattle Grace hospital.

Chyler Leigh, 25, will be a series regular, a rep for ABC Television confirms. She appeared in the last two episodes of Season 3. Lexie Grey's chemistry with Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) has already caused tension between him and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).

  Hel-lo! Chyler Leigh might actually inspire us to watch Grey's Anatomy. Or not. But we'll at least look up more pictures of her on the Internet.

She previously starred in the short-lived series Girls Club, Reunion and That 80s Show, and appeared on The Practice and 7th Heaven. She starred in Not Another Teen Movie.

Leigh joins the cast on the heels of Isaiah Washington's dismissal from the show on June 9, when he was informed that ABC was not picking up his option to return to the hit series.

The Grey's cast, Chyler Leigh included, began filming the show's fourth season today after a two-month hiatus. The show returns with new episodes Thursdays in September.

Elsewhere in the Grey's Anatomy universe, the much-anticipated Kate Walsh spinoff, titled Private Practice and scheduled for Wednesdays this fall, added a new cast member in KaDee Strickland. Apparently it's quite the day for witty medical dramas!