It has been confirmed that Stana Katic will be leaving Castle after its eighth season!
Stana Katic, who is one of the main characters, has been playing Kate Beckett since the beginning of the show. The show’s network ABC has now confirmed that she won’t be returning to the show if it’s renewed for a ninth season. Tamala Jones, who has portrayed Lanie Parish since 2009, will be leaving as well.
In a statement issued by ABC, they say,
“Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series Castle for the past 8 years. We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship. Tamala Jones has also been an integral part of the series and we are grateful she was a part of Castle,”
There have been speculations about Katic leaving Castle for years. Last year she and fellow cast mate, Nathan Fillion, negotiated their contracts for months before coming to an agreement with the network. This time, ABC decided not to have Katic and Tamala Jones return. However, Fillion is expected to return to Castle if gets renewed.
Castle has not been renewed yet. Although it is one of ABC’s highest-rated shows, its ratings have dropped drastically within the past few years. This combined with tough contract negotiations give the show slim chances of getting renewed. However, it is likely that the show will be renewed for a shorter, final season.
It hasn’t been revealed how the show plans to go on without one if its main characters. Katic’s character, Beckett, has been leading the show alongside Fillion’s character, Richard Castle. The two’s romance has been the center of the show since the beginning, and the characters got married in the seventh season. The couple has always been a fan favorite and we hope they won’t split up with Katic leaving.
Since the announcement, Katic has thanked her fans for their support through the years. She told E! News, “Rather than distract from what was an amazing experience I would just like to say that I’m very grateful to ABC for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a much beloved show. Thank you to the fans,”
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