Entertainmentcastle

ABC Cancels 'Castle' After Eight Seasons

The series finale will air Monday on ABC.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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Canceled.
Colleen Hayes via Getty Images

Out of the many TV shows that received the proverbial axe on Thursday, the cancellation of longtime ABC dramedy "Castle" made the most sense.

After the network announced in April that series lead (and one half of the show's central couple) Stana Katic would not be a part of a rumored Season 9, many fans were of the mind that there would be no "Castle" without her. But after the news of her departure broke, ABC continued to give casting updates on the new season, leading viewers to believe that the series' titular protagonist, Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), would soldier on alone, continuing to write crime novels and solve cases for the NYPD. 

Apparently, negotiations between the network and the cast and crew broke down, leading ABC to pull the plug on "Castle" after eight seasons on the network. The cast and crew reportedly filmed two versions of the final episode, in case of cancellation, giving fans the closure-filled ending to the series they deserve. 

Reasons for why ABC decided not to pursue a Season 9 are unclear, but according to People, a source revealed that tensions between Fillion and Katic might be to blame. 

"The two were basically not speaking to each other if it wasn't in character," People reported. 

But from all appearances, Katic and Fillion only wish each other well. After the cancellation was confirmed, Katic released a handwritten note on social media to thank the "Castle" family for an "unforgettable 8 seasons."

Read her full note below: 

Fillion has yet to comment on the series' cancellation, but did share a heartfelt message after Katic's departure was announced last month. 

"Stana has been my partner all this time, and I thank her for creating the character of Beckett," he wrote. "I wish her well, and have no doubt she will succeed in everything she pursues." 

Case closed? We don't think so.

To see a list of other TV shows that have been canceled and renewed so far in 2016, head here.  

The series finale of "Castle" airs Monday at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Before You Go

14 TV Shows Netflix Should Remake
Kenan and Kel (1996-2000)(01 of14)
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There really should be a remake of "Kenan and Kel" ASAP! Positive, young and funny black males are almost non-existent on TV today. -- Amber Ferguson, politics video editor (credit:Archive Photos via Getty Images)
The O.C. (2003-2007)(02 of14)
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Look at all the shows that launched because that angsty teen drama popularized the Orange County area. "Laguna Beach" (which led to "The Hills," a classic!) and "Real Housewives of Orange County" wouldn't have existed without "The O.C." Plus, people still love the characters from the show so much they refer to Adam Brody as Seth Cohen and Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood, respectively. -- Paige Lavender, assignment editor (credit:Michael Yarish via Getty Images)
Firefly (2002-2003)(03 of14)
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Do I have to be the first one to say "Firefly?" I'd love to see what could be done in 2015 with the show on a Netflix-sized budget and a proper series order! -- Chris McGonigal, photo editor (credit:20th Century Fox Television)
Recess (1997-2001)(04 of14)
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I used to watch it every Saturday morning faithfully. It would be interesting to see how kids today interact in the age of social media, technology, etc. -- Phil Lewis, editorial fellow (credit:Disney)
Looking (2014-2015)(05 of14)
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Haters gonna hate, but I firmly believe "Looking" didn't get a fair shake before it was prematurely canceled by HBO. I loved its quieter tone, which spoke to me more than any other gay-themed TV series did before. Netflix would be a much more appropriate home for a series that got absolutely no credit for portraying gay men as more complex than their white, waxed and chiseled stereotype, and featured storylines about PrEP and serodiscordant couples. #TeamRichie for life. -- Curtis M. Wong, senior gay voices editor (credit:HBO)
Static Shock (2000-2004)(06 of14)
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Please remake "Static Shock," one of the only cartoons with a black superhero lead that I could watch on Saturdays as a kid. The show also dealt with real-world issues, like bullying, school shootings and racism. -- Phil Lewis, editorial fellow (credit:Cartoon Network)
The West Wing (1999-2006)(07 of14)
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Please remake "The West Wing." Except just pick up where it left off. "The West Wing," Season 8: Streaming On Netflix Soon. -- Carina Kolodny, director of multimedia platforms (credit:Warner Bros. via Getty Images)
Taina (2001-2002)(08 of14)
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Please remake "Taina." It was one of the first teen sitcoms to feature a Latino (Puerto Rican) family in a positive, non-stereotypical light. It was the first time I saw myself reflected in the mainstream media. It only lasted one season, but it'll live in my heart forever! -- Tanisha Ramirez, Latino voices editor (credit:Nickelodeon)
The Angry Beavers (1997-2001)(09 of14)
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Because you can't have "Zombeavers" on Netflix and not "Angry Beavers." -- Tyler R. Kingkade, senior editor/reporter (credit:Nickelodeon)
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)(10 of14)
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Remake "Gossip Girl," because what is life without Chuck Bass and hearing him like every other episode say, "I'm Chuck Bass." P.S. Serena and Blair were the ultimate BFF goals. -- Shonitria Anthony, voices news editor (credit:James Devaney via Getty Images)
Rocko's Modern Life (1993-1996)(11 of14)
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"Rocko's Modern Life" needs a remake. I was probably too young to appreciate most of its humor/weirdness. I just watched the opening credits again. WTF is going on there? Maybe I will never understand. -- Catharine Smith, business editor (credit:Nickelodeon)
Beast Wars: Transformers (1996-1999)(12 of14)
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Please remake "Beast Wars!" It was the best incarnation ever of the Transformers saga. Optimus Prime was such a badass gorilla. -- Alexander C. Kaufman, business editor (credit:Hasbro)
Jericho (2006-2008)(13 of14)
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The premise showed a lot of promise: There's a nuclear attack on a number of U.S. cities and the residents of Jericho, Kansas, are left to deal with the aftermath. But then they cast Skeet Ulrich as the lead and invested like nothing in making the dialogue tolerable. (The only exception was the amazing Lennie James, who should be kept in a reboot.) I don't think they even finished the second season because it was so bad. But there were a lot of good ideas here! -- Kate Sheppard, senior reporter/energy and environment editor (credit:CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images)
The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983)(14 of14)
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Some superheroes are getting multiple reboots, while the greatest American superhero gets nothing. A clever reboot that plays on the themes of responsibility, power, and personal expectations, while treating the superhero genre with a mix of reality and humor would definitely be binge-worthy. The bar for incorporating special effects is also a lot lower now than it was in the early '80s. -- Victor Brand, standards editor (credit:Wikimedia Commons)
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