Castle Shocker: Stana Katic's Dismissal Leaves Series Creator 'Heartbroken'

Castle creator and former longtime showrunner Andrew W. Marlowe speaks for many with his first comment on the cast shake-up which has dropped series co-lead Stana Katic as well as Tamala Jones from any possible Season 9.

RELATEDStana Katic Out at Castle as Part of Season 9 Cast Shake-Up

“Heartbroken,” Marlowe shared in a short, not-sweet tweet on Monday morning. “There are no words.”

The writer/producer tacked on the hashtag #nmc, presumably shorthand for “No More Caskett” — as in the long-running procedural’s root-for coupling of novelist Richard Castle and NYPD captain Kate Beckett.

Former Castle executive producer/writer Terri Edda Miller responded in kind:

As reported Monday morning, the ABC series is not asking either Katic or Jones to return in the fall, in the event of renewal, as an apparent means to cut costs. “We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship,” the network said of Katic’s exit. Beckett’s portrayer meanwhile said in a statement, “I’m very grateful to ABC for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a much beloved show,” adding a “thank you” to the fans.

There are no details at this early stage on how Castle plans to write out one of its two main characters, though co-showrunner Alexi Hawley told TVLine that the Season 8 finale airing May 16 ends in a “dynamic” way that allows for “the possibility that maybe the show won’t come back in the same form.”

Want more scoop on Castle, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.

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