The Biggest Cast Exits of 2024 (So Far)
We’ve got something to add to that famously short list of life’s certainties: death, taxes and shocking cast exits in any given year of television. (A little wordy, we know. We’ll work on it.)
That last one is what we’re focusing on in the list below, which will keep track of all the cast departures announced — some of them in rather surprising fashion! — throughout 2024.
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And while most cast shake-ups tend to come from TV’s scripted side — FBI: International is losing star Luke Kleintank, for example — our list also includes notable unscripted exits. Thus far in 2024, Katy Perry has announced that her seat at American Idol‘s judging panel will be vacant after the current season, while Bravo’s Real Housewives-verse has lost quite a few familiar faces.
We’ll be updating this list all year long as more small-screen departures make headlines, so be sure to bookmark this page for all the latest reshuffles on your favorite shows. In the meantime, keep scrolling to see who’s leaving what (so far) this year, then drop a comment with the stars you’re sad to see go!
Josh Stewart, Criminal Minds: Evolution
Stewart, who made his debut as New Orleans Police Department detective William LaMontagne Jr. way back in Season 2 of Criminal Minds‘ original run, announced in January that he will not be back for Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s second season.
“[S]adly, my days of playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over,” Stewart posted on X in response to a fan asking about his Season 2 status. “You guys have been the absolute best.”
Sam Waterston, Law & Order
NBC announced in February that longtime Law & Order actor Waterston would be stepping down from his role as D.A. Jack McCoy. His final episode aired Feb. 22, and he was replaced in March by Scandal vet Tony Goldwyn.
“The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next,” Waterston said in a statement. “An actor doesn’t want to let himself get too comfortable. I’m more grateful to you than I can say. Law & Order’s continuing and amazing long run, along with its astounding comeback, is all thanks to you and to Dick Wolf, but for whose vision, patience, perseverance, and unique combination of creative and business talents, none of this would have happened. I feel very blessed. I hope to see you all on the flip side.”
Kandi Burruss, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Burruss, who has been a main cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta since Season 2, announced in February that she has chosen to depart the Bravo reality series ahead of its 16th season.
In a red carpet interview with our sister site Variety, Burruss said, “I decided I’m not coming back this year. It’s been 14 seasons, and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long, but during that time I had started working on a lot of other things, and I got some nice big projects coming soon, so I’m super excited about those things.”
Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards-Ross later announced their RHOA departures, too, while Real Housewives of Potomac cast member Candiace Dillard Bassett opted to exit that series ahead of Season 9.
In other Atlanta news, Kenya Moore will not return to the series following a suspension stemming from an alleged incident with new RHOA cast member Brittany Eady.
Katy Perry, American Idol
The 22nd season of American Idol would ultimately be Perry’s last, as she announced in February on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“I think this probably will be my last season for Idol,” said Perry, who had served as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie since the series was rebooted at ABC. “I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat.”
Idol Season 4 winner and country music star Carrie Underwood was later named Perry’s successor.
Sara Ramírez, And Just Like That…
After co-starring in the first two seasons of Max’s Sex and the City continuation, Ramírez won’t return as non-binary podcast host Che Diaz for Season 3. No official statement regarding Ramírez’s departure has been released, but sources told our sister publication Variety in February that the Che character had reached a natural conclusion, since their relationship with Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda had ended. (Max had no comment when reached by TVLine.)
Meanwhile, Karen Pittman — who played professor Nya Wallace on the series — has also exited ahead of Season 3 due to scheduling conflicts.
Stuart Martin, Miss Scarlet & the Duke
PBS announced in February that Miss Scarlet & the Duke would return for a fifth season… but it will simply be called Miss Scarlet, with Martin departing as William “The Duke” Wellington after four seasons.
“It has been such an incredible joy to bring Duke to life through [series creator] Rachael [New]’s beautiful, brilliant writing, and to get to play him for the past four years,” Martin said in a statement at the time. “But it felt like the time was right for Scarlet to explore new stories and challenges for now, as the show continues to grow and evolve. I will miss working with my amazing partner in crime Kate [Phillips] and the rest of our brilliant family and team, but I’m excited to continue following Eliza and her escapades as a huge fan and newly enrolled Scarleteer!”
Tom Durant Pritchard (Feel Good, This Is Going to Hurt) has since joined Season 5 as Alexander Blake, a handsome former soldier and respected detective inspector who joins the force at Scotland Yard to replace the Duke.
Olivia Colman, Heartstopper
Due to scheduling conflicts, Colman won’t return for Season 3 of Netflix’s Heartstopper, where she played Nick Nelson’s beloved mom, Sarah.
“We tried absolutely everything we could, but it wasn’t meant to be, and that’s just the way the TV world works sometimes,” series creator Alice Oseman told fans in March. “Nick’s story from the comics is still there, still infinitely important to me, and Sarah’s role as emotional support for Nick will shift to other characters in the story for now. If we get a Season 4, I would love for Olivia to be a part of it again!”
Hunter Clowdus, All American
TVLine confirmed in March that Clowdus, who had co-starred as football player JJ Parker since All American‘s debut, would not be returning to the CW series for Season 6. A rep for the show told us JJ’s storyline had “organically wrapped” at the end of Season 5, though as far back as November 2023, Clowdus had been hinting in social media posts that it was not his choice to depart the show.
“That said I began to feel very unwelcome there and it was really taking a toll on my mental health,” Clowdus wrote in an Instagram comment. “I still wanted to come back for the fans but at the end of the day it was their decision to not continue JJ’s character.”
Rome Flynn, Chicago Fire
Flynn, who joined Chicago Fire as Derrick Gibson at the start of Season 12, ultimately had a short-lived run on the NBC series, exiting after just six episodes.
The actor told our sister site Variety that it wasn’t his choice to leave the show: “Just like all the fans, I was sad to see Gibson leave. He was a character I very much enjoyed playing,” he said in April. “I had a wonderful experience during my time on Chicago Fire and have great respect for the cast and crew and hope to team up with Dick Wolf again when the time is right.”
Crystal Kung Minkoff, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
After three seasons, Minkoff announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on April 15, ahead of the Bravo reality show’s upcoming 14th season.
In an emotional video posted to Instagram, she called her exit “very bittersweet,” adding that it was an “honor” being the first Asian-American cast member.
Luke Kleintank, FBI: International
Kleintank, who played Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester since FBI: International‘s debut, exited the CBS series near the end of its third season. His final episode aired May 7.
“After much thought and consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to leave FBI: International,” the actor said in a statement to our sister site Deadline. “This decision is driven by my unwavering commitment to my family, whose love and well-being are paramount in my life. I’m profoundly thankful for the extraordinary cast and crew of the show, who have not only been colleagues but also a family away from home. Their unwavering dedication and remarkable talents have made every moment on set an unforgettable journey that has enriched my life in countless ways. Lastly, I would also like to extend my thanks to the fans who have supported us through the first three seasons.”
Nicholas Alexander Chavez, General Hospital
Chavez — who had taken a leave of absence from playing General Hospital‘s Spencer Cassadine to shoot Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s Monster — confirmed in May that he will not be returning to the ABC soap, after all.
“I’m so appreciative of the opportunity that GH gave me, and I wouldn’t be as busy as I am professionally if it weren’t for the talented producers, writers, directors and fellow actors,” Chavez wrote in an X statement. “[Executive producer] Frank Valentini is a mentor and a friend, and we’ve had some pretty extensive conversations about my future on the show. While there are no current plans for me to return, we are still talking very openly about future possibilities for Spencer in Port Charles.”
Eamonn Walker, Chicago Fire
Walker departed Chicago Fire as a series regular in the Season 12 finale, when Chief Wallace Boden — who Walker had played since Fire‘s debut — left his current position to serve as the Chicago Fire Department’s Deputy Commissioner. According to Deadline, however, Walker is expected to return in a recurring capacity in the future.
A reason for Walker’s exit has not been reported.
Camryn Manheim, Law & Order
Manheim, who played Lt. Kate Dixon on the NBC crime drama, departed the show in its Season 23 finale on May 16.
“I had the most incredible experience being a part of the Law & Order Universe, and more importantly the Wolfpack,” Manheim wrote in an Instagram post in May. “I’m so thankful for the three wonderful seasons that I spent with this wildly talented cast of merry pranksters… I loved showing up for work each and every day, loved keeping the boys in line at Precinct 27 and most importantly, loved spending time with the most hard working, professional and kindhearted crew. They are truly New York’s finest. Something wonderful awaits me around the corner, and I can’t wait to see what it is.”
Jake Borelli and Midori Francis, Grey’s Anatomy
Borelli, who has played Grey’s Anatomy‘s Dr. Levi Schmitt for the past seven years, will exit the ABC drama during Season 21. According to our sister site Deadline, Borelli’s departure is due to budget cuts at the series, but he is “in negotiations to return next season for several episodes to wrap up the story of his character.”
Similarly, Midori Francis — who debuted as surgical intern Dr. Mika Yasuda in the Season 19 premiere — will also leave Grey’s as a series regular in Season 21. Like Borelli, Francis is reportedly in talks to return for some episodes to wrap up Mika’s arc.
India de Beaufort, Night Court
de Beaufort, who played tightly wound prosecutor Olivia on the first two seasons of the NBC courtroom comedy, announced in May she wouldn’t be returning for the upcoming Season 3: “For the last two years, I have had the immense privilege of driving onto the WB lot and walking onto a stage filled with the most hard working, loving and talented cast and crew that comedy has to offer… I will miss the honor of being in their brilliant company, but my god. That was fun. My time at Night Court has come to an end.”
Rochelle Aytes, S.W.A.T.
Aytes is jumping CBS shows, departing S.W.A.T. as a series regular to star opposite Morris Chestnut on the network’s freshman medical drama Watson. Per Deadline, the hope is for Aytes to continue recurring on S.W.A.T.‘s eighth season as Hondo’s wife Nichelle Carmichael; she first appeared on the CBS procedural as a recurring player in Season 3, then was later promoted to series regular for Season 6.
Sierra McClain, 9-1-1: Lone Star
McClain, who has co-starred on all four seasons of the Fox procedural as 9-1-1 operator Grace Ryder, will not be returning for the upcoming fifth season. Her departure comes amid persistent rumors that Season 5 of Lone Star will be its last, though as of June 7, no decision had been made about the show’s fate.
Julianna Margulies, The Morning Show
When The Morning Show returns for Season 4, it’ll do so without former series regular Margulies, according to Variety. Margulies joined the Apple TV+ drama in Season 2 as Laura Peterson, a TV news anchor who became romantically involved with Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley Jackson. Despite the two ending their relationship in Season 3, Laura remained in Bradley’s orbit for the duration of her time on the show, which will no longer be the case moving forward.
Daniel Ezra, All American
Ezra, who has led All American as football phenom Spencer James since the show’s debut, will not return as a series regular for Season 7, though he’s expected to make guest appearances moving forward.
“After making the difficult decision to leave All American, my sole focus became completing the journey of the most life-affirming character I’ve ever played in the manner he deserves,” Ezra said in a statement in June. “Thanks to [showrunner] Nkechi [Okoro Carroll] and the writers, I got my wish. Season 6 is ‘Spencer’s goodbye.’ I’ll miss him. I’ll miss our cast and crew. I hope it’s been as fun to watch him as it has been to play him.”
Michael Easton, General Hospital
The daytime-TV vet announced he would be leaving the ABC soap in an Instagram video posted on June 26. His final episode as Dr. Hamilton Finn aired the very next day.
“I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for allowing me to share their stage this past 10 years,” Easton said in the video. “Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for the kindness and love you’ve shown me and my family. I won’t ever forget you. And as I walk out here for the last time, and with apologies to the great Lou Gehrig, I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”
Dominic Rains, Chicago Med
The doctor is out: Rains will not be returning to Chicago Med for its upcoming 10th season. Rains joined the Dick Wolf drama in Season 5, playing trauma surgeon Dr. Crockett Marcel.
While fans may not be happy to see Rains go, a potential exit was foreshadowed in the Season 9 finale, which aired on May 22. In the dramatic episode, Crockett was so rocked by the news that his former patient died and that the little boy’s dad died by suicide that he bailed on a surgery. The situation brought up old feelings of helplessness and grief for Crockett, who tearfully confessed that he knew how the dad felt because he, too, lost a child. He added that he never took the time to grieve his daughter’s death, which made many viewers wonder whether he needed to take some time to do just that.
Norah O’Donnell, CBS Evening News
After five years behind the CBS Evening News anchor desk, O’Donnell announced in July that she’ll depart the network’s nightly news telecast after November’s presidential election. She will then move into an expanded role as a CBS News senior correspondent, focusing on long-form reporting and interviews across CBS News platforms.
After O’Donnell’s departure, CBS Evening News will move back to New York City (from Washington, D.C.), where John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois will take over as anchors.
Tru Valentino, The Rookie
Valentino, who joined the light ABC procedural as recurring in Season 4 and got promoted in Season 5, will not be back as a series regular for Season 7, TVLine exclusively reported in August. The actor played Aaron Thorsen, a TikTok-famous personality who, after being acquitted of a headline-making murder charge, joined the Mid-Wilshire Division as a rookie cop.
“I will always cherish my time on The Rookie, but couldn’t be more excited for what the future has in store,” Valentino later wrote in an Instagram story. “I adore the friends and relationships made while being there. It was such an amazing opportunity, and I feel so lucky to have had the last three seasons. Thank you to the best fans in the world. I know I don’t talk much, but I appreciate you all so much. You never know who may pop back up in the Mid-Wilshire precinct. Until then, 7 Adam 19, this is Officer Thorsen, over and out!”
Robin Weigert, Tracker
TVLine exclusively confirmed in August that Weigert, who co-starred as handler Teddi Bruin in Tracker‘s first season, will not return as a series regular for Season 2 of the Justin Hartley drama. There’s no word yet on how Weigert’s exit will be explained on screen; we do know, though, that Abby McEnany (who plays Teddi’s wife/Colter Shaw’s fellow handler Velma) will be back for the sophomore run.
Katherine Renee Kane, FBI
Kane, who has portrayed FBI‘s Special Agent Tiffany Wallace since Season 3, is departing the CBS procedural during its upcoming seventh season, TVLine has confirmed. Kane will reportedly appear in at least one episode of Season 7, which will mark her final appearance as a series regular.
Kelly Monaco, General Hospital
Monaco is exiting the ABC daytime soap this fall after more than two decades playing Sam McCall, a source confirms to TVLine. The character of Sam McCall will reportedly be killed off, and Monaco was apparently “blindsided” by the decision.
Debuting in 2003, Monaco joined GH as bad girl Sam, the long-lost daughter of attorney Alexis Davis. She went on to become one of the pillars of the long-running soap, earning two Daytime Emmy nominations across her daytime career.
Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast, Saturday Night Live
Johnson, who had been part of the SNL cast since Season 46, confirmed in August that she would not return to the NBC sketch comedy series for Season 50.
“After four seasons, I will not be returning to SNL for the 50th,” she said in a video posted to Instagram at the time. Adding that there was “no bad blood,” “no bridges burnt,” and “no hurt feelings,” she shared that “SNL was a dream I didn’t even know I could achieve. I was part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I’m so grateful for it… But my time there has come to an end.”
The following day, featured player Molly Kearney also announced they’d be departing SNL ahead of Season 50. Then, in September, Season 49 breakout Chloe Troast shared that she “was not asked back” to SNL for the 50th season.
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