Following the departure of Audra McDonald, it was announced on March 20, 2011, that actor Benjamin Bratt will be added to the series as a regular cast member for the fifth season.

The details of his character were released on August 7, as he is set to play Jake Reilly, an accomplished fertility specialist that is knowledgeable in cutting-edge technology and procedures.

Following the renewal of Private Practice, it was announced that Benjamin Bratt would be returning to the show as a series regular, and his character was reviewed to be named, Jake Reilly.

[7] In November 2011, it was announced that, Jessie star, Debby Ryan would be making a special guest appearance, as Hailey, a girl that Amelia meets while she is going through rehab for drug addiction.

[8] In January 2012, it was announced that Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy would be having another crossover, and Patrick Dempsey and Chyler Leigh would be making a special guest appearance in an episode in an effort to save Erica's life.

[9] In February 2012, it was announced that Anika Noni Rose had been cast in a recurring role as Corinne Bennett, who would play Sam's sister who drops in town for a visit.

Cooper and Charlotte take Erica to Seattle Grace-Mercy West, so Amelia can team up with Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Lexie (Chyler Leigh) in an attempt to perform a surgery that requires them to work within ninety seconds.

Corrine is outraged when Sam blames her for all of his problems only for Sheldon to diagnose her with bi-polar disorder, and she finally comes clean with where she's been for twenty years.