It's a sad day for Castle fans. ABC has cancelled the long-running crime drama procedural after eight seasons.

The news comes a month after the network announced that Stana Katic, who plays the female lead of detective Kate Beckett on the show, will not be returning if the show was renewed for a ninth season, along with fellow castmember Tamala Jones, both of whom were let go as a result of cost cutting.

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"Rather then distract from what was an amazing experience, I would just like to say that I'm very grateful to ABC for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a much beloved show. Thank you to the fans," Katic said in a statement at the time.

However, Katic's co-star Nathon Fillion, who played the titular character of Rick Castle, recently finalized a deal to return to the series if the network went ahead with the ninth season.

A day after Katic's exit was confirmed, Fillion took to Twitter to say a few words about his on-screen wife.

"Castle has been one of the greatest joys of my creative life, and I hope the show continues on for years to come," he wrote. "Stana has been my partner all this time, and I thank her for creating the character of Beckett who will live on for all of us as one of the greatest police officers on television. I wish her well, and have no doubt she will succeed in everything she pursues. She will be missed."

In addition to Fillion, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, Susan Sullivan and Molly Quinn were all reportedly set to return.

Castle's upcoming season eight finale on May 16 will be the last episode of the series. The show reportedly filmed two separate endings - one as the series finale if the show were to end after season eight and one if it is renewed for a ninth season.

"To the whole Castle family- our amazing cast, our remarkable crew, our imaginative writers & our wonderful fans, thank you for 8 amzing yrs!," the show's creator, Andrew Marlowe, tweeted in wake of the show's cancellation.

To the whole Castle family- our amazing cast, our remarkable crew, our imaginative writers & our wonderful fans, thank you for 8 amzing yrs!

— Andrew W. Marlowe (@AndrewWMarlowe) May 12, 2016

 

TagsCastle, Castle cancelled, castle season 8, Castle season 9, ABC, Stana Katic, Nathon Fillion