(Brian Bowen Smith / FOX)
As previously reported, Clayne Crawford, who starred as Martin Riggs on the first two seasons of the Lethal Weapon TV show on FOX, was let go from the production. Subsequently, Lethal Weapon was renewed for season three, and a new actor, Seann William Scott, has been tapped to star in a new role opposite Damon Wayans’ Roger Murtaugh. During the Upfronts, a FOX exec addressed the recent firing of one of the show’s two leads.
A FOX TV series adaptation of the buddy-cop film franchise, Lethal Weapon also stars Keesha Sharp, Kevin Rahm, Jordana Brewster, Johnathan Fernandez, Dante Brown, Chandler Kinney, and Michelle Mitchenor. FOX Chair and CEO Dana Walden made it clear that firing Crawford wasn’t the network’s call.
On Crawford’s ouster and bringing back Lethal Weapon with a new co-star, Scott, playing a new character, Fox chairman Dana Walden said, “It wasn’t our choice. Our partners at Warner Bros. came to us and said that they could not deliver the show as it was.”
She noted that it was a difficult decision on both the part of the studio and the network. After the studio presented Fox with Scott as a replacement, the network signed off on a third season.
“I think we made the right choice,” she said, noting that Scott’s addition brings “good new dynamic to the show with a lot of its original dynamic intact.”
Newman added that “90 percent of the cast is coming back,” including the Murtaugh family, which is an important focal point of the show.
“We will be making sure to let the audience know there is something new” on the series this fall, he added regarding Fox’s marketing plans for Season 3 and noted that another cop drama, ABC’s NYPD Blue, had to replace one of its two leads after the first season after David Caruso’s exit, but went on to have a long and successful run.
What do you think? Are you a Clayne Crawford fan? Will you check out the third season of the Lethal Weapon TV series, to see how you like the new actor and character?
I am a huge fan of the show but without Clayne I won’t watch! Their chemistry is amazing and so great to watch. Might as well cancel it!
I really enjoy Clayne Crawford. I think he makes the program work and is a top-notch actor. Having Damon Wayans go stupidly over the top every episode did not help the show. I might watch the first episode with a new actor but he has to be better than Crawford and I’m pretty sure he isn’t better now and won’t be better than crawford next season..
I will watch 1st episode to see exactly how they write Clayne’s character out. Will they let him die or let him leave w/Molly? Regardless, Mr Wayans got his wish & we’ve lost a favorite show! I just really hate for the rest of the cast as well. But after episode 1, no more LW in our house!!
I’ll stop watching this show from very now! the show will not be he same without Clayne Crawford. I don’t want even to continue watching the season finale. Boycott Lethal weapon from now.
Clayne Crawford was Riggs on Lethal Weapon, you can’t replace an artist of his quality for this show. It won’t last, you are losing the chemistry of the cast.
It was very clear that who is in charge of the series is Damon, nobody should laugh more than him, otherwise he will be fired!!! Correto even would not have 3 season or change the 2 protagonists!!! Jealous of Clayne Crawford success and his highlight in all episodes!!! Cowardice is to pronunce itself after the 3 season being renvanted it is worth remembering that accidents are common in the set, what you did no expect is so much commotion of the public petitions and all being signed by the permanence of Clayne Crawford and as it says the popular sayng,… Read more »
I’m NOT happy that Clayne Crawford was fired and will not be on the show when it returns this fall. Regardless of who made that BAD decision (Warner Bros. or FOX), it will not be the same show without Clayne Crawford. I will give it a chance when it comes back in the fall but chances are it just won’t ride!
Clayne made the role and not interested to continue watching without him in the show. Big mistake!!
i didn’t love the actors; i loved the show with its humor and suspense with a rogue cop and a cop who is a family man forming a very close bond. i don’t care who the actors are i just want the same theme to continue.
Clayne was Riggs, he made the show, big mistake not giving him another chance, he apologized for his actions! I will not be watching, so looked forward to season three. Really ashame
Clayne was the reason to watch the show. What a shame!
Replacing Clayne Crawford is a huge mistake. The show will not be the same without him. I no longer have interest in watching the show and I made it a point to watch it “live” every week. Such a shame 🙁
I refuse to watch with the replacement for Riggs. You have made a huge mistake. I loved the show and never missed one. I don’t care for how you ended season 2
I agree Becky, I HATED the ending of Season 2!!
Damon Wants to shine more, saw that Clayne Crawford was better that he waited for an opportunity to pull the rug. #saveclaynecrawford
The show can’t possibly be anywhere near as good as it was without Clane. I for one will not be watching it and I haven’t missed an episode to date.. There are some shows that certain characters can’t be replaced, and this is one. Now Wayans can be replaced and the show could go on, even though there is good chemistry between them, and even though he is the “bigger” star, he plays second fiddle to Clane, even f the network d not intend for it to happen.
The show would not be the same without Clayne.. I am surprised the situation was not handled properly and was allowed to get out of hand..
I loved Clayne Crawford he made the show it will not be worth watching