Fans of Castle had better sit down, because star Stana Katic won’t be returning for season nine of the beloved crime drama.
Deadline reports that Hamilton, Ont.-born Katic, who plays Det. Kate Beckett on the long-running crime drama, won’t be coming back for next season, claiming that the decision came not from the actress but from the network and studio (Katic’s rep confirms to ET Canada that the decision to leave was not hers). Meanwhile, her fellow cast member Tamala Jones is also exiting after this season.
Deadline also claims that star Nathan Fillion is in the midst of negotiations to return for a shortened 13-episode ninth season, which will likely be its last.
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ABC has just released a statement confirming Katic’s departure: “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.”;
In a statement to Deadline, Katic thanks the fans who have kept Castle on the air for eight seasons.
Related: How “Castle’s’ Stana Katic Bonded With New Co-Stars
“Rather then 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,”; she says. “Thank you to the fans.”;
Take a look back at our 2009 interview with Katic on the set of the show’s first season.
