As we reported early this morning, sources confirmed that Brooke Smith, who plays Dr. Erica Hahn (a heart surgeon who recently realized she is gay), has been axed from the Grey's Anatomy cast. Brooke Smith sounded off on this to EW's Michael Ausiello.

You may have already seen this, but in the wake of Smith's surprise and sudden firing, insiders connected to the ABC series tell E! Online that some of the gay-themed story lines are being downplayed - and even erased from upcoming Grey's Anatomy scripts.

And that goes for the series' latest (and controversial) newcomer, Melissa George of Alias fame, who is set to join the medical drama this month ...

Melissa came on to the show as a bisexual character and love interest for Callie (Sara Ramirez), but a reliable insider says that's no longer in the cards, "They changed the script, and now she isn't. She starts off flirting with Callie but it never goes anywhere."

Melissa will portray Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) best friend - with a possible history - and a new intern at Seattle Grace. No word on how that will play out.

Grey's Anatomy included a prominent bisexual / lesbian storyline in Season Five in the blossoming (and complex) relationship between Hahn (Smith) and Callie (Ramirez). That storyline will end in this Thursday's episode, "Rise Up" - which will be Smith's last on the series.

"They don't really give her a goodbye," an ABC source says. "It ends rather abruptly."

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.