Private Practice is a spin-off of the American television dramedy Grey's Anatomy. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series chronicles the life of Dr. Addison Montgomery as she leaves Seattle Grace Hospital for Los Angeles in order to join a private practice.
The series aired in the USA on ABC from 26 September, 2007 to 22 January, 2013. There are 111 hour-long episodes in six seasons.
Private Practice premiered in South Africa on M-Net on Thursday 24 January 2008, at 19h30. It also aired on DStv's M-Net Holiday, M-Net Series and M-Net HD channels and was moved to M-Net Series for the final season. The final season later repeated on M-Net Series Zone as well. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 6 premiered on M-Net Series Zone on Tuesday 9 July 2013, at 18h30. new episodes broadcast from Mondays to Thursdays at the same time. There are 13 episodes in the sixth and final season.
Synopsis
Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned surgeon. Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital, a broken marriage with Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd, and her torn relationship with Mark "McSteamy" Sloan, Addison moves to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities.
Addison reunites with her friends from medical school, Naomi and Sam Bennett, joining them at their chic co-op, Oceanside Wellness Centred in Santa Monica.
Naomi, a fertility and hormone specialist and majority owner of the clinic, and Sam, an internist whose self-help books have made him the "common man's medical guru," are newly divorced. They co-exist for the sake of their teenaged daughter, Maya, and their medical practice, but the relationship is hardly amicable.
The centre's resident paediatrician is Dr. Cooper Freedman, whose success in his profession belies his rocky personal life. He's a serial internet dater who is always attracted to the wrong woman. Most dates end badly for him; some even end in petty or grand theft.
Cooper finds solace and counsel in his closest friend, co-op psychiatrist Dr. Violet Turner - but she's no luckier in love. Able to deftly advise her patients in their relationships, she's intense, determined and unwilling to let outsiders see the obvious cracks in her veneer.
Inside, Violet is crumbling after her recent breakup with an ex who has already moved on and married.
Dr. Pete Wilder is the alternative medicine specialist at the practice. Attractive and assured, Pete is a "catch" by any standard; in fact, he's already caught Addison's eye, and he, hers.
Though the chemistry is immediate and palpable between the two, Pete's cockiness and confidence conceal a man still reeling from his wife's tragic passing eight years beforehand, a man who has been unable to truly connect with a woman since. With Addison starting anew in Los Angeles, Pete may chance new beginnings in his own life.
Witness to it all at the co-op is the receptionist, William Dell Parker. Young, quirky and confident, Dell may seem like an easygoing surfer, but he's deeply interested in the medical profession. In Addison, he sees the chance to have a mentor and pursue his dream - becoming a midwife.
Coming in direct conflict with the co-op doctors is Charlotte King, the Chief of Staff of the nearby hospital. A southerner who does not suffer fools gladly, Charlotte believes that the co-op doctors' patient care methods are unorthodox and, therefore, inferior to her own.
For Addison, an old friend's invitation brings her to a new city and a new life full of promise. At Oceanside Wellness Centre, the doctors are dedicated pros; it's their private lives that need a little practice.
Private Practice was created by Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Off the Map, Scandal) and is executive-produced by Rhimes, Betsy Beers (Grey's Anatomy, Off the Map, Scandal), Mark Gordon (The Hoax, Saving Private Ryan), Mark Tinker (St. Elsewhere, NYPD Blue), Jennifer Cecil and Barbie Kligman.
Private Practice is an ABC Studios Production.
Seasons
Note: the show was moved from M-Net to M-Net Series for the final season. Transmissions on M-Net were simulcast in HD from Season 3.
Season 1 (9 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 24 Jan 2008 | Finale: 20 Mar 2008 | Thursdays, 19h30
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 27 Jan 2008 | Finale: 23 Mar 2008 | Sundays, 18h00
Channel: M-Net Holiday | Premiere: 8 Dec 2008 | Finale: 16 Dec 2008 | Daily, 20h00
Season 2 (22 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 6 Jul 2009 | Finale: 30 Nov 2009 | Mondays, 20h30
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 1 Nov 2009 | Finale: 28 Mar 2009 | Sundays, 18h00
Season 3 (23 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 12 Jul 2010 | Finale: 13 Dec 2010 | Mondays, 20h30
Season 4 (22 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 4 Jul 2011 | Finale: 28 Nov 2011 | Mondays, 20h30
Season 5 (22 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 5 Mar 2012 | Finale: 30 Jul 2012 | Mondays, 21h30
Season 6 (13 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 8 Jan 2013 | Finale: 2 Apr 2013 | Tuesdays, 20h30
Channel: M-Net Series Zone | Premiere: 9 Jul 2013 | Finale: 30 Jul 2013 | Mon-Thu, 18h30