Castle: Stana Katic and Tamala Jones Not in (Final?) Season Nine

Deadline reports Stana Katic and Tamala Jones are both leaving the Castle TV series on ABC, after the current, eighth season. Does this mean Castle will be cancelled? Not yet, but maybe soon. According to Deadline, it is likely ABC will renew Castle for a shortened ninth season. Will it be the last?

Reportedly, Nathan Fillion and the network are currently talking about renewing his contract. Deadline‘s Nellie Andreeva says both the network and ABC Studios are behind the decision to write off Katic’s Detective Kate Beckett. Per Deadline, the co-star was never approached about re-upping. According to the story, she and Jones, who has played Lanie Parish since the series premiered, are both being let go for “budgetary” reasons.

 

Here is more from Deadline, on Stana Katic’s departure from ABC’s Castle.

 

Katic would not comment on the circumstances surrounding her exit. When asked about the departure, she told Deadline, “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. Thank you to the fans.”

Since Castle has not been renewed, ABC would not comment on any plans for the length of the potential Season 9 but confirmed to Deadline that Katic and Jones won’t be part of it.

“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,” ABC said in a statement to Deadline. “Tamala Jones has also been an integral part of the series and we are grateful she was a part of Castle.“

 

 

Here is more from Deadline on Tamala Jones exiting Castle.

 

Jones played the whip-smart medical examiner Lanie Parish who was Beckett’s close friend and confidante. “I’ve had so much fun playing the wonderful and unfiltered Lanie over the past eight seasons,” Jones said in a statement to Deadline. “I will greatly miss the cast and crew – it’s been a privilege getting to work with this incredibly hard working group of people. Thank you to ABC for this opportunity and to the fans for their unwavering support. It’s been an incredible journey and I can’t wait for what lies ahead!”

While the series is called Castle, Beckett’s character has been as prominent on the show, which evolved into a two-lead Moonlighting-style comedic drama. Castle creator Andrew Marlowe had always called the Castle/Beckett relationship central to the concept of the series.

 

What do you think? Will you watch a shortened, ninth season of Castle without Beckett and Parish? Do you think it is time for Castle to end? Tell us.