Complex sentence: Dean departed amidst reports that she was taking a break; however, she did not return until 2012, when executive producer Bryan Kirkwood announced that he was reintroducing Sharon.
Split into simpler sentences: Dean departed amidst reports that she was taking a break; however, an immediate return did not materialise. Over six years later in 2012, executive producer Bryan Kirkwood announced that he was reintroducing Sharon.