To carry eager fans through until next month's season opener, Entertainment Weekly has some Private Practice spoilers and casting notes in its Q&A today.

Here's what EW has unearthed about one character's possible return, along with the fate of Violet, who was left on the floor, about to be hacked open ...

On Violet's fate after the Private Practice Season 2 finale cliffhanger:

1. Violet lives.
2. Approximately 20 minutes will have lapsed between the last frame of the gripping season finale and the first frame of the new season premiere.

On the return of Josh Hopkins' Noah as Addison's love interest:

1. It's not happening, as Josh is on Cougar Town now.
2. Amanda Detmer will be back as Noah's wife, though.

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