A gay group has praised Grey’s Anatomy bosses for representing a lesbian character on primetime TV.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) spoke out after it emerged that Brooke Smith has been dropped from the series. Smith will make her final appearance as Dr Erica Hahn on this week’s episode of the ABC drama, bringing to an end her character’s lesbian relationship with Dr Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

A GLAAD spokesperson said: “While we are disheartened that the burgeoning relationship between Callie and Erica has come to an end, the character of Callie, who has now been identified as a lesbian by show creator Shonda Rhimes, remains and her journey continues.

“Because there are so few lesbian characters on network television, we hope that ABC and Grey’s Anatomy will commit to further developing Callie’s character and her relationships, and continue providing this important representation on one of TV’s most-watched shows.”

Smith has revealed that she was “surprised and disappointed” to be told that her character was being axed.