ER star Maura Tierney is to undergo surgery to remove a breast tumour, she has confirmed in a statement.

The 44-year-old actress, who appeared in 10 series of the medical drama, said she has been assured that her condition is “very treatable”.

Production on her new television show Parenthood has been halted to allow Tierney to receive treatment.

The actress, who was Emmy-nominated for playing Dr Abby Lockhart, has also appeared in Jim Carrey film Liar Liar.

“I have discovered a tumour in my breast which requires surgery,” Tierney said in a statement.

“I will not know either my exact diagnosis or course of treatment until that surgery is performed. I’m very optimistic as to the outcome.”

The actress added that she was looking forward to going back to work.

She said that NBC - who are producing Parenthood - had caused “confusion and undue alarm” by announcing that filming had been delayed.

Former ER star Noah Wyle, who has recently turned himself into something of an action hero with his Librarian made-for-TV movies, has signed as the lead in TNT’s as-yet-untitled alien-invasion pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The role will mark a reunion with producer Steven Spielberg.

“It is a privilege to be starting a second series with Noah,” said Spielberg, whose company was behind ER. “The first didn’t do too badly.”

The project, written by Robert Rodat from an idea he conceived with Spielberg, is set shortly after aliens have wiped out most of the human population. Wyle will play the leader of a ragtag group of soldiers and civilians who struggle against the occupying alien force.

Wyle has already starred in four original films for the cable network: the Librarian action-adventure franchise, which spawned three movies, and Pirates of Silicon Valley.

“I couldn’t feel more at home,” Wyle said.

Former “ER” star Parminder Nagra, has given birth to a baby boy.

“Parminder Nagra and her husband James Stenson are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Kai David Singh Stenson,” her rep told Us Weekly. “He was born on Tuesday, May 19. Mother, daddy and baby are all doing great.” Parminder, 33, announced her preganancy late last year. The actress previously told Access Hollywood that she was using baggy hospital clothing on the “ER” set to disguise her blooming belly.

“Blue scrubs and lab coats hide quite a lot,” she previously told Access. “I actually have a pair of my own custom made maternity scrubs courtesy of our wonderful wardrobe department made with stretchy fabric to fit round the ‘bump’! The guys at ‘ER‘ have been extremely supportive.”

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Season: 15    Episode: 0    First Aired: 4/2/2009

One hour of memorable clips from past episodes, as well as interviews with current and former cast members.

After 15 years on television, “ER” will finally take its last breath on April 2. The preview for the finale on April 2, gives flashes on the doctors and staff that have been gracing the hall of Chicago’s County General Hospital throughout the years, including the appearance of Dr. Mark Greene.

Called “And In The End…”, the finale sees a new medical facility for the underprivileged being opened and old friends return to show their support. Gates treats a teenager with alcohol poisoning after he and his friends play a drinking game. Sam is surprised when she receives a special gift for her birthday.

Apart from familiar faces like Noah Wyle, Eriq La Salle and Julianna Margulies, the finale will give a flashback to Anthony Edwards’ character Dr. Greene who had died in the 179th episode, through the appearance of his daughter, Rachel Greene. Rachel (Yvonne Zima) is a med-student who picks up where her dad left off, nabbing the chance to be an intern in the hospital.

Also giving the last bow on the finale are among others Sherry Stringfield, Laura Innes, Yvette Freeman and Alex Kingston.

Season: 15    Episode: 21    First Aired: 3/26/2009    Prod Code: 15021

Many of the ER doctors and nurses help out at Camp Del Corazon, a camp for kids who have had open heart surgery. Working along side the camp counselor (guest star Tom Arnold), Morris (Scott Grimes) and Brenner (David Lyons) make a huge impact on several kids at the camp. Meanwhile, Dr. Banfield (Angela Bassett) and her husband (guest star Courtney B. Vance) feel their adoption dreams slipping away when a young mother comes back for the child she abandoned in the ER.

Main Cast

• Goran Visnjic as Dr. Luka Kovac
  
• Maura Tierney as Nurse Abby Lockhart
  
• John Stamos as Tony Gates
  
• Mekhi Phifer
  
• Parminder Nagra
  
• Scott Grimes
  
• Linda Cardellini as Nurse Samantha Taggart
  

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Where are my favorite ER supporting cast members, like Haleh and Jerry? Will they be back before the finale? - Timothy

MICKEY: Does anyone else remember the sexy desk clerk that SVU’s Mariska Hargitay played? Well, she won’t be back. But Noah Wyle, Eriq La Salle, Julianna Margulies and Susan Sarandon all appear in Thursday’s episode (as will George Clooney, though NBC still declines to confirm anything officially). As for Haleh and Jerry, both of whom showed up in the Anthony Edwards flashback, my ER mole tells me that the final four episodes are “for the longtime fans.” As such, eagle-eyed viewers will spy many familiar faces.

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Any last details on how ER will end? - Mike, Geneva, NY

A. Let me just flip through the script here….Ah, yes. The April 2 two-hour goodbye will see Dr. Greene back at County General - but it’s not for another Mark Green (Anthony Edwards) flashback.

Rather it is Mark’s daughter, Rachel Greene, now a med-student who picks up where her late dad left off. Watching Rachel begin her journey as a doctor will be stepmom Dr. Elizabeth Corday. Alex Kingston (Elizabeth Corday) can’t wait to reunite with 21-year old Hallee Hirsh, who last appeared as Rachel in 2004.

“I know Carter (Noah Wyle) has a very big storyline in the final episode, but it makes sense for Rachel to bring closure to the show,” says Alex. “Anthony was the focal point of ER, so for Rachel to become an intern (Navy’s note: Med Student) and study in the hospital where her father worked brings everything full circle.

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Watch promotional photos of ER Episode 15.19 “Old Times”

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Watch promotional photos of ER Season 15 Episode 20 “Shifting Equilibrium“

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Download “ER” Episodes

Season: 15    Episode: 19    First Aired: 3/12/2009    Prod Code: 15019

Neela (Parminder Nagra) and Sam (Linda Cardellini are shocked when they arrive back to the airport with transplant organs only to find that their plane has left them. Dr. Carter (guest star Noah Wyle) gets a surprise visit from an old friend (guest star Eriq La Salle) while waiting for his kidney transplant. Dr. Banfield (Angela Bassett) bonds with an abandoned baby boy that is left at the ER. John Stamos, Scott Grimes

Download “Old Times” Episode