Fall’s still months away, but one of last season’s bigger Grey’s Anatomy cliffhangers has already been resolved: Sources confirm to me exclusively that T.R. Knight’s wish to be released from his contract has been granted. The official decision, I’m told, came down in the past few days, just as many of his castmates began receiving their formal pickup letters from ABC.

What does this news mean for George? What will Knight do next? And what about Izzie? Find out after the jump…

The actor’s exit closes yet another rocky chapter for the embattled primetime soap, one that opened with Isaiahgate and worsened when, amid rumors that Knight was clashing with series creator Shonda Rhimes, George O’Malley was backburnered. Finally, Knight grew so fed up with his character’s lack of storyline that he asked if he could check out three years before his deal expired. After that, all indications were that he would be let go, although Rhimes didn’t make a final decision until recently. (Contractually speaking, she had until June 30 to make up her mind.)