With Katic’s departure, the future of Castle seems uncertain.
[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he ninth season of ABC’s long-running crime series Castle is set to return without one of its leading stars. Stana Katic will not be reprising her role of the much-loved detective Kate Beckett, who held the series alongside co-star Nathan Fillion since its debut back in 2009.
The decision was reportedly made by ABC and ABC studios, who sighted ‘budgetery reasons’ and a ‘shake up’ of the series as the main reasons for not renewing Katic’s contract. Katic will be departing alongside co-star Tamala Jones, who played recurring character Lanie Parish in the series.
The studio has negotiated with Fillion who is still set to return for the 9th series, with the rumour that it will be shortened to a 13 episode run. At this stage Castle has not officially been renewed, and with Katic’s departure, the future of the hit show seems to be uncertain. Several co-stars expressed their sadness about the departure via Twitter, with Fillion expressing his hope that Castle will ‘go on for years to come.’
lang=”und” dir=”ltr”>pic.twitter.com/Nx8bkgpmgE
— Nathan Fillion (@NathanFillion) April 19, 2016
Show creator Andrew Marlowe left the show when ABC implemented new show runners, and whilst this supposed ‘shake up’ of the series may be an attempt to kick-start the show up again in a different creative direction, it might do more harm than good to a series that has already been running for 8 years.
Katic’s departure also signals the end of fan favourite ‘Caskett’, the electrically comical romantic pairing of Rick Castle and Kate Beckett. The relationship was one of the integral aspects of the shows success, which was thanks in no small part to the on-screen chemistry of Katic and Fillion.
From the relationship’s early beginnings, to the point where they finally got together – and all of the case solving in-between – Caskett’s journey has been treasured by viewers.
Deadline has reported two endings have been filmed for the 8th season, which only serves to add to the uncertainty of the shows’ future. All we know at this stage is that if the show does return, it will be a very different show from the one we’ve known. But different doesn’t necessarily mean bad, and if anyone can carry a show forward, it’s Fillion.
Katic has been pretty tight-lipped about the whole affair, but has graciously thanked ABC and her fans for the opportunity and continued support she’s received throughout the past eight years. Likewise, Jones expressed her thanks to fans and her excitement for what ‘lies ahead’ in future.
It’s hard to imagine the show without Katic or Jones, both have been such big players in the show from the start; especially Katic, who’s been at the centre of the series with Fillion from its inception. We’ll just have to see how the 9th series shapes up if it officially gets renewed.
Both Katic and Jones were fantastic throughout the eight series of the show, and they’ll surely be missed.
