Marti Noxon

Showrunner leaves ’Brothers’ behind

Noxon left skein due to creative differences

"Brothers & Sisters" showrunner Marti Noxon has departed the upcoming ABC sudser.

According to a Touchstone TV rep, Noxon left the show due to creative differences. Insiders said she and "Brothers & Sisters" creator Jon Robin Baitz disagreed on the show’s direction.

Baitz remains with the show, and Touchstone is expected to announce a new showrunner shortly. The highly regarded Noxon, who developed a fan base during her time running "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," will continue to develop and exec produce new dramas for Touchstone under a two-year, seven-figure overall pact she signed with the studio earlier this year.

Noxon’s departure is the latest shake-up to hit "Brothers & Sisters," which scored the plum post-"Desperate Housewives" 10 p.m. Sunday slot on ABC’s fall sked. Last month, Sally Field and Matthew Rhys were brought into the show, replacing original pilot thesps Betty Buckley and Jonathan LaPaglia.

The cast changes meant portions of the pilot had to be reshot; as a result, a screener for the show (which bows Sept. 24) still has not been released.

"Brothers & Sisters" revolves around five California siblings; show also stars Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin and Patricia Wettig. Ken Olin is also an exec producer.

Beyond "Buffy," Noxon created the short-lived Fox drama "Point Pleasant" and the never-aired drama "Still Life." She also served as a consulting producer on the "Buffy" spinoff "Angel."