While Nathan Fillion may be saving the day and solving crimes with his current procedural serial The Rookie, the fan-favorite actor previously thrilled audiences on the one-act-drama serial Castle as its eponymous, crimefighting protagonist Richard Castle. Running on ABC for viii seasons from 2009 to 2016, Castle was tentatively slated to reach a ninth flavour, with Fillion slated to reprise his starring role, but to be abruptly cancelled. Hither's why ABC ultimately inverse its mind and pulled the plug on Castle rather than proceed with its plans for a 9th season.

Richard Castle was introduced at the start of the series as a bestselling mystery writer who was brought in to consult with the New York Police force Section later a copycat murder mimics the plot of one of Castle'due south novels. Castle works closely with police detective Kate Beckett, portrayed by Stana Katic, with Castle permitted to shadow Beckett and the NYPD for inspiration for his new novel series. While there is initially friction between Castle and Beckett due to Castle'south more young personality and Beckett's by-the-book professionalism, they eventually become friends earlier falling in dear and getting married in Castle Flavour seven. The end of Season 8, which turned out to be the series finale, featured a flash-forwards ahead seven years, with Castle and Beckett continuing to live as a married couple and parents of three children.

Rick Castle and Kate Beckett at a crime scene in Castle

There was speculation that Castle Season 8 would be the series' concluding, with Fillion and Katic both only signing one-twelvemonth contract extensions following the decision of Season 7. Ratings for Castle saw diminishing returns over the class of Flavour 8, averaging under x million viewers per episode, which was the everyman for the series and a marked decline from Season 7's average viewership. This led to reports that a potential Season 9 would meet a reduced product upkeep, including shortened episode social club and a smaller main cast. The proposed changes to Castle came as ABC saw a modify in network leadership backside-the-scenes, with Channing Dungey becoming a new executive replacing Paul Lee. Lee was the Head of ABC throughout most of Castle's run and was replaced in Flavour 8's final months.

Like most new executives, Dungey came onboard to ABC with her own vision for the network'southward future, and this included a decision on where to accept Castle next. Lining up with reports that a planned Flavour nine would see a reduced budget, Katic and fellow series regular Tamala Jones were not set to reprise their roles beyond Season 8, while Fillion and much of the cadre cast signed a 1-flavor extension. Given that Castle revolved effectually the relationship between Castle and Beckett, fans were shocked at the decision for the series to tentatively move on without Katic. This fan outrage was fueled by rumors of on-fix friction between Fillion and Katic in contrast to their characters' dynamic. In the face of this controversy, ABC officially cancelled Castle exactly 1 week after announcing Fillion had extended his contract for a planned Season 9.

Stana Katic Castle

Later on eight seasons, it appeared Castle'southward time was limited, regardless if it had continued beyond Flavour 8. Declining ratings and contract renewals ane flavor at a time signaled a series finale was on the horizon. This coupled with new leadership heading the network and fan discontent over the reduced budget and omitting Katic resulted in ABC deciding to forego a ninth flavour entirely. Castle was a decided success for ABC when it premiered in 2009 only, eight seasons afterward, slipping ratings and behind-the-scenes politics led to it coming to an sharp close.

Created by Andrew W. Marlowe, all viii seasons of Castle are currently available to stream on Hulu.

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