ER star Maura Tierney has spoke out in support of the decision to bring the show to a close.

It was confirmed at the start of the month that the long-running medical drama will return for one more season. After 15 years on the air, the show's final episode will go out in February 2009.

"I think it's a great thing for the cast and the crew," Maura told WENN. "And I think it is a great thing that [creator] John Wells and all the rest of the writers know that's it's ending and have time to prepare for it and finish it in a way that's thoughtful."

Tierney also admitted that she is at odds with producers over the ultimate fate of her character Dr. Abby Lockhart.

"I want them to kill me," she revealed. "And they won't. They refused to kill Abby."