Lea Michele will only be on Glee for one more year.

The Jewish actress, who plays Rachel Berry in the hit television show, has been informed by Glee creator Ryan Murphy that she and her co-stars Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer will not appear on a fourth season.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: "You can keep them on the show for six years and people will criticise you for not being realistic.

"Or you can be really true to life."

He said he had consulted Ms Michele, 24, when he made the decision. "I involved Chris and Lea and they thought that was a good idea.

"They felt that it would be great to have an open and closed experience for them to go out while they were on top."

He also revealed that the new season would focus more on Rachel's ambitions than her romantic life.

The actress wrote on twitter that she was happy with Mr Murphy's decision. "We always knew we'd graduate in real time," she said. "It's all part of the plan and it's all good."

Ms Michele, who won an Emmy award last year, launched her career with a starring role in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Spring Awakening.

She will next be seen in the Garry Marshall ensemble film New Year's Eve, alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi and Robert de Niro.