WORD is that Joely Richardson will be back next season in the plastic-surgery soap “Nip/Tuck.”

Her character, Julia, divorced her husband, Sean, near the end of last season – but that was mostly to cover a real-life crisis in the actress’ life.

Richardson’s teenaged daughter is not well and she wanted to return to England to be with her full time.

That’s why she was written out of the show, but now, reportedly, she is being written back in for a few episodes next year, officials say. The show is already in for big changes – the doctors are moving their practice from Miami to L.A. next season.