Despite recent reports that she will be MIA much of next season, Calista Flockhart isn't scaling back her role on Brothers & Sisters, the show's executive producer said.

"We were expecting Calista to be back next season as a series regular, and she is," David Marshall Grant says. "We're expecting to do a great year with her next year."

Reports of Flockhart's reduced schedule in Season Five began surfacing following confirmation that Rob Lowe would depart the ABC family drama after this season.

But Flockhart, who plays Lowe's TV wife Kitty McAllister, will be "visible as ever," according to Grant and a rep from ABC, who confirmed her status as a series regular.

Kitty's recent battle against lymphoma was a dramatic story for the show, ending in a risky, successful bone marrow transplant. Kitty is now running for U.S. Senate.

While it would seem like an odd time for the show to scale back on one of its most dynamic characters, a victory would conceivably have her in Washington, D.C., a lot.

As for Lowe's exit, he reportedly asked out of his contract because he felt his character, Sen. Robert McCallister, was being underutilized. His exit strategy is still unclear.

"We have a bunch of ideas on the table," Grant says. "Right now, we're just examining what would be the most exciting way to take us to the end of the season."

Lowe, whose negotiated exit from the Brothers & Sisters cast was amicable, is in talks to headline a new ABC show, according to network president Steve McPherson.

While these nebulous "series regular" comments don't necessarily mean Calista won't miss time next season, we're glad to hear she'll be a major presence either way.

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