Castle fans were shocked on Monday to learn that cast member Stana Katic will not return for the show’s ninth season next year. Katic plays Kate Beckett on the show alongside Nathan Fillion’s Richard Castle. The two are considered the central duo of the show and had a will they or won’t they dynamic that helped propel it to eight seasons.
“Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series Castle for the past eight years. We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship,” ABC said in a statement.
Tamala Jones will also not be returning, ABC announced. Previously, Fillion and Katic signed one-year contracts for the eighth season. Although Fillion will return if a ninth season happens, it was ABC’s decision to not bring back Katic and Jones.
Castle has yet to be renewed for a ninth season and has been a perennial on-the-bubble show. ABC has not commented if the show will receive a renewal with a shorter season.
Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
