The Castle Season 8 finale is three episodes away and does not bode well for Kate Beckett since Stana Katic’s departure was announced. Budget was blamed for her ousting, but it may have been more about keeping star Nathan Fillion happy. Co-stars are taking sides as Season 8 draws to a close. Fillion is known not to like Katic and this has been bandied about on the web for years.
Molly Quinn, who plays Castle’s daughter Alexis, tweeted that Season 9 will be “way way different” but added that “Nathan Fillion IS Castle” and it’s obvious she meant more than Nathan Fillion portraying the role – it seems she meant he IS the show and that Stana Katic leaving won’t diminish the ABC program.
Susan Sullivan, who plays Castle’s mom Martha Rodgers, addressed Katic’s departure in two tweets. The first was this one where she said she was saddened to learn of her departure but then said it would give Katic room for “growth.”
Then later, Sullivan tweeted birthday wishes that seemed to include a nod at Katic’s departure wishing her “adventure and joy.” But still, Sullivan stayed classy and above the fray unlike on-screen granddaughter Quinn who is clearly #TeamFillion.
Jon Huertas, who plays, Javier Esposito shared tweets worry about his own future at the ABC mystery show. Huertas tweeted that he will miss his “dear friends” Stana Katic and Tamala Jones – the latter announced she would depart her role as Lanie, the medical examiner.
Huertas made it clear he’s worried about himself and wants to stay on Castle tweeting “if I’m a part of the cast, I’ll work hard 2 continue 2 keep the integrity of our show intact.” Huertas shared his frustration at learning the news online and reiterated he hasn’t been renewed for Season 9.
Seamus Dever, who plays Kevin Ryan, also stayed clear of the fray and tweeted compliments to the two departing actresses while not mentioning the controversy or his own status for Season 9 even though Huertas had already spilled that their renewal was pending.
Tamala Jones’ Twitter feed has been radio silent on Nathan Fillion but she has been retweeting fan compliments on her recent Castle appearances and this one caught our eye… Looks like Jones is trying to play classy but has sour grapes and hopes Castle tanks without the two women!
While IMDB has no plot summaries for the final three episode of Castle, obviously they have to deal with Stana Katic and Tamala Jones’ departures. Castle writer Michael Ausiello revealed that Season 9 will pick up after a gap of time from the Season 8 finale.
That would allow Beckett’s death and Castle’s mourning to pass and he might even be in a new relationship when the new season kicks off. ABC spoilers tease that it may be LokSat, supposedly the worst Castle villain ever, that takes out Kate Beckett in the Season 8 finale on May 16.
What’s also of interest is that there were two versions of the Season 8 finale shot. One was to air if there was no Season 9 renewal and the other if there is a Season 9 renewal. That indicates we will know the fate of Castle by May 16, but all signs point to at least one more season of the ABC show.
What do you think Castle fans? Will you keep watching Castle in Season 9 without Stana Katic? Do you think ratings will suffer once Nathan Fillion is carrying the show as the sole star? Share your comments below and come back to CDL for live recaps of the rest of Castle Season 8 every Monday night.