After a firestorm of controversy erupted around Katherine Heigl's decision to remove herself from Emmy Awards consideration in 2008, citing a lack of exceptional material, the Grey's Anatomy heroine and lightning rod has reentered the derby this year, EW reports.

Heigl critics may claim that the 2007 Outstanding Supporting Actress winner is back in the race because of tensions that allegedly sprung up between her and series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes after she took herself out of the running in '08.

The budding movie starlet (27 Dresses, Knocked Up, The Ugly Truth), fans may recall, said at the time that she didn't have material with which she could compete.

But some believe it's likelier that Katherine knows, whether viewers loved or loathed the Izzie-brain tumor story, that she did a heck of a job with her character.

Katherine Heigl has already earned one high-profile endorsement - Rhimes'.

"I think she did beautiful work," Rhimes raved in an interview last week, immediately following the season finale. "I think she always does beautiful work."

Besides, if it turns out Izzie did take the Seattle Grace elevator straight up to heaven, a second Emmy in three years would make a lovely parting gift, no?

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