Anthony Edwards Says He’ll Leave ‘ER’ After 2002

NBC’s “ER” will lose its most prominent doctor next year.

Anthony Edwards, who has portrayed Dr. Mark Green on television’s top-rated series since its premiere in 1994, plans to leave after the 2001-02 season when his current contract is up.

“I think that will be it,” he said in an interview. “It’s been eight years of my family working around my schedule. It’s been a long time playing Dr. Green.”

NBC is contractually committed to the series through at least the 2003-04 season. “ER” has survived--even flourished--despite the defections of George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Julianna Margulies and Kellie Martin.

Two other actors who were part of the original “ER” cast, Eriq La Salle and Noah Wyle, are also at the end of contracts next year.

Edwards, a four-time Emmy nominee, is arguably the show’s lead actor. His character is struggling with brain cancer and recently traveled to New York City from its Chicago setting for experimental surgery.

He said his departure was 99% certain and not an attempt to bolster his negotiating position on a new contract.