Isaiah Washington heads to New Orleans this week to begin shooting "Patriots," his first major feature film since his controversial exit from "Grey's Anatomy" in June 2007.

Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the fact-based sports drama stars Forest Whitaker as a high school basketball coach who assembles a team of players from five different schools and leads them to the state championships.       

Washington will play the team's assistant coach, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Tim Story directs the project for The Weinstein Co.

The actor's contract with ABC for "Grey's" was not renewed after he became involved in a backstage controversy involving a homophobic slur. He quickly moved to a prominent guest-starring role on NBC's "Bionic Woman."