Yvette Nicole Brown Leaves 'Community': "My Dad Needs Daily Care And He Needs Me"

It looks like the sixth season of Community will be without Shirley. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown will be unable to continue filming the series, due to family reasons.

Brown confirmed to TV Guide Magazine this past Monday, Sept. 29, that character Shirley Bennett, the reserved, yet spunky mother of three will not be returning to the show for it's sixth season. Instead, the actress will be taking care of her ill father.  

"My dad needs daily care and he needs me," Brown said. "The idea of being away 16 hours a day for five months, I couldn't do it. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I had to choose my dad."

Producers Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna praised Brown's work for her five seasons in Community. "Yvette was an integral part of Community and is irreplaceable. We are sad to see her go and wish her the very best."

Brown is saddened by her choice, however, respects the understanding Harmon has showed her. "I can't say enough how much I respect Sony and Dan for how they handled this profound change in my life," Brown stated. "I'm still Community's biggest fan and I'll still live Tweet episodes, It's very bittersweet. I can take care of my dad but won't be with my TV family. I don't want the fans to worry; it's going to be fine. Greendale is the heart of the show, not any particular character. Even if characters come and go, the heart of Greendale remains."

The actress has been with the show on NBC since its first episode in 2009. Though NBC canceled the series in May 2014, it was picked up by Yahoo! Screen in June 2014 –– they ordered a 13 episode sixth season.

Returning cast members will include Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Ken Jeong, Jim Rash and Alison Brie.