Cheers to the good times! Stana Katic has broken her silence following the news that she’s leaving Castle after eight seasons.
“To the fans: thank you for your support. I love you,” Katic, 37, tweeted on Tuesday, April 19, adding kiss and peace sign emojis.
Katic shocked fans when it was confirmed on Monday that she would be ending her run on the ABC series. The Canadian actress has played Kate Beckett on the crime procedural since its debut in 2009.
To the fans: thank you for your support. I love you. ?✌?️
— Stana Katic (@Stana_Katic) April 19, 2016
As previously reported, the network stated that Katic’s abrupt departure was over budget reasons. However, an Us Weekly source told Us that Katic and her costar Nathan Fillion butted heads behind the scenes — and were even forced to go to counseling.
Fillion, 45, praised Katic via Twitter following the news. “I wish her well, and have no doubt she will succeed in everything she pursues,” he tweeted to his more than three million followers on Tuesday. “She will be missed.”
Katic, who won two People’s Choice Awards for her role, isn’t the only one packing her bags. Kate’s onscreen BFF Tamala Jones (Lanie Parish) is also leaving after 173 episodes.
“I just wanted to thank you all @ABCNetwork ,Cast& Crew & CastleFandom,” Jones, 41, tweeted on Monday. “It’s been an amazing ride! Family is what we are & I love u all!!!”
I just wanted to thank you all @ABCNetwork ,Cast& Crew & CastleFandom.. It’s been an amazing ride! Family is what we are & I love u all!!!??
— Tamala Jones (@tamalajones) April 18, 2016
ABC also released a statement about the departures. “Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series Castle for the past eight years. We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series, and we hope to continue our relationship,” the network said on Monday. “Tamala Jones has also been an integral part of the series, and we are grateful she was a part of Castle.”