Stana Katic who has played Detective Kate Beckett (now Captain Beckett) for eight seasons won't be returning for the ninth season. Despite Katic's co-star Nathan Fillion being approached for a new deal, she was reportedly informed that for budgetary reasons she wouldn't be asked back, while fellow original cast member Tamala Jones, who plays medical examiner Lanie Parish, also won't return.The decision was apparently made by ABC and ABC Studios. "Rather [than] 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. It's not yet clear if Castle will be renewed for a ninth season and it was revealed that the writers have penned two different season-eight finales in case it gets axed.
