37 Celebrities Who Left Hit TV Shows And Why They Parted Ways When They Did
It was sad to see many of these stars leave some of our favorite TV shows.
It's never easy to see our favorite celebs leave TV shows that we love seeing them in. It's like a mini scar on the heart every time that happens.
While some shows can last for seasons and seasons on end, however, the cast doesn't always get to stay just as long. Some actors choose to leave when their contract with the show ends while there are some who just seem to up and vanish leaving writers to scramble about what to do with their characters.
Reasons for these exits often vary a lot. Some actors don't get the pay raise they've been asking for, others don't get the character development that they want, while a few get into certain disagreements with directors or showrunners that just can't be resolved.
While some exits get the proper closure they need, some don't and that's the exits that hurt the most - when writers don't really know what to do with a character or when they just kill them off because there was supposed to be more to their story. What's worse is when they get a replacement actor who can't really bring the same character to life.
Here are some of those stars who walked away from hit TV shows.
1. Gavin Leatherwood
The actor was in all but one episode of the first season of HBO Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls but unfortunately, he decided to leave his character Nico Murray behind.
“It was such an incredible experience. I think Mindy is brilliant and the cast, everyone’s lovely,” Leatherwood exclusively told Us in March 2022. “But with so many amazing opportunities out there, we want to keep spreading our wings and leading ourselves to other projects so that’s the move.”
HBO Max2. Mark Harmon
For fans of NCIS, it's hard to imagine Leroy Jethro Gibbs as anyone else but sadly, Harmon hung up his detective badge in October 2021. In his last episode, Gibbs told his partner Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) that he didn't want to return to the noise and bustle of the city and felt a sense of peace in Alaska.
Sonja Flemming/CBS3. Julian McMahon
McMahon said goodbye to Jess La Croix from the show FBI: Most Wanted in March 2022.
“Over the past few months, the producers of FBI: Most Wanted and I have had discussions about my departure from the show in favor of additional creative pursuits and the transition of my character Jess LaCroix,” he said in a statement. “These ongoing conversations have given us an opportunity to orchestrate a seamless and productive way for me to leave the show.”
Mark Schafer/ CBS
4. Maia Mitchell
The actress played Callie Adams Foster for five seasons on The Fosters and even revisited her character for the Good Trouble spinoff. Her character left sister Mariana in Los Angeles since she was taking a job in Washington D.C. for the ACLU.
Freeform/Christopher Willard
5. Emily VanCamp
VanCamp has been with The Resident since its 2018 debut, however, the Marvel actress exited the show ahead of its season 5 premiere.
Fox
6. Nathaniel Arcand
After two seasons as Agent Clinton Skye on FBI: Most Wanted, Arcand confirmed he was not reprising his character in season 3. He was also noticeably absent for most of season 2.
“Moving On. Moving Forward. Don’t Look Back,” the Heartland actor wrote via Instagram in June 2021. “#movingon #movingforward #dontlookback #clintonskye Must Say Bye. Bye.”
Mark Schäfer/CBS
7. Emily Wickersham
Wickersham joined the crew of NCIS during season 11, however, she confirmed her exit after her character Bishop, left for a top undercover mission.
“Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been,” the actress captioned behind-the-scenes photos she posted on her Instagram in May 2021. “This cast, this crew, are top notch. I can’t say enough kind words about this group that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for close to 8 years now and 172 episodes later.”
Erik Voake/CBS
8. Renee Felice Smith and Barret Foa
The episode "A Tale of Two Igors" on NCIS marked the departure of the actress and actor's time on the show following almost 12 seasons on the crime drama.
“I will miss the people. I will miss the people greatly. I've made lifelong friendships here. I essentially spent kindergarten through 11th grade with these people,” Smith told Entertainment Tonight. “When you think of it like that, it's kind of wild to think about the breadth of time, but I just want to say I'm so thankful for our audience. I'm thankful for them praising Nell, for respecting her intelligence. I've always been cast as the funny friend, but with Nell, I got to play so much more.”
Ron Jaffe/CBS
9. Rege-Jean Page
Page skyrocketed to fame after his stint on Bridgerton's first season, however, he opted not to return for the hit TV show's second season.
“It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end — give us a year,” he told Variety about his role as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. “[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”
Liam Daniel/Netflix
10. Jesse Metcalfe
Metcalfe portrayed musician and contractor Trace Riley on Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores from 2016 up until 2021. “A new season of Hallmark Channel’s highly popular scripted series Chesapeake Shores is returning this summer. Jesse Metcalfe, who plays Trace Riley, has decided to leave the show,” Hallmark Channel told Us Weekly in a statement.
The network also noted that the actor is still part of the Crown Media family and will continue to appear in Hallmark movies including the film series Martha's Vineyard Mysteries.
Ricardo Hubbs/Crown Media United States LLC
11. Lauren Graham
Graham played Joan, Zoey Clarke's boss throughout the first season of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist but unfortunately, because of shooting conflicts, the actress has to exit the show.
"I would have loved to have had more of her in season two," showrunner Austin Winsberg told The Hollywood Reporter of Graham’s departure. "Unfortunately, the character of Joan was a victim of COVID scheduling. Lauren had committed to doing another show [The Mighty Ducks series on Disney+] that was supposed to be done shooting by the time we went into production. But the pandemic changed all of that and both shows ended up shooting at the same time. So, there was just no way for her to do both."
It may not be the last time fans will see Graham on the show though with Winsberg saying, “The door is always open for Lauren and Joan to return, and nothing would make me happier.”
Sergei Bachlakov/NBC
12. Anna Faris
Faris left her role in CBS' Mom in 2020 after seven seasons of leading it alongside Allison Janney.
“The past seven years on Mom have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career," Faris said in a statement at the time. "I’m so thankful to Chuck [Lorre], the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience. While my journey as Christy has come to an end, allowing me to pursue new opportunities, I’ll be watching next season and rooting for my TV family."
CBS
13. Courtney Hope
After three years of playing Sally Spectra on The Bold and the Beautiful, Hope announced that she was leaving the role behind.
“An abrupt ending to a monumental journey. The last three years have been amazing, and though I do not know what the future holds this chapter of Sally has sadly come to an end,” she explained via Instagram. "I love my @boldandbeautifulcbs cast and crew and will miss everyone dearly, but await the day we may all play again. Some things are out of our control, and I thank the fans for your support through it all! Until then, I revel in new beginnings and everything the future has in store. 🙌🏼✨ Love you all.”
Rob Latour/Benheart/Shutterstock
14. Maria Bello
Bello joined the NCIS crew in season 15, however, the actress will be leaving the crime show in the upcoming 18th season. According to Deadline, her character will be wrapping up her storyline with eight episodes.
Erik Voake/CBS
15. Greg Vaughan
After eight years of playing Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives, the actor announced that he'll be leaving Brady behind. “I’ve finished my reign at Days,” he said during an episode of the “That’s Awesome! With Steve and Bradford” podcast.
He explained that he was taking a break from the series after uncertain renewal negotiations. Vaughan also added that his time there was coming to an end anyway.
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock
16. Kristian Alfonso
Alfonso starred in the soap opera Days of Our Lives for 37 years first appearing in the series in 1983 as the character Hope Williams Brady. Sadly, in 2020, she announced that she would be leaving the series.
"I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people's homes for over three decades," Alfonso wrote via Instagram. "However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter. I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September. I've already filmed my last episode several months ago."
Chris Haston/NBC
17. Ruby Rose
Batwoman fans were so excited when it was announced that Ruby Rose would be taking on the lead role so it was understandable when they were gobsmacked with her announcement that she wouldn't be returning for future seasons.
"This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles," she said in a statement in May 2020. "I am beyond appreciative to Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Caroline Dries for not only giving me this incredible opportunity, but for welcoming me into the DC universe they have so beautifully created. Thank you Peter Roth and Mark Pedowitz and the teams at Warner Bros. and The CW who put so much into the show and always believed in me. Thank you to everyone who made season one a success."
Kimberley French/The CW
18. Justin Chambers
The actor definitely shocked long-time Grey's Anatomy fans when he announced that he was leaving the medical drama after 16 seasons.
“There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that’s defined so much of my life for the past 15 years,” Chambers said in a statement. “For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time. As I move on from Grey’s Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family, Shonda Rhimes, original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride.”
ABC/John Fleenor
19. Adam Levine
Adam Levine was a coach on The Voice for the first 16 seasons but ahead of season 17, he shocked fans of the show when he announced that his run was coming to an end.
“After 16 seasons, Adam Levine, our beloved coach, and friend, has decided to leave The Voice,” host Carson Daly announced on the Today show in 2019. “Adam was one of the original coaches that launched the show, winning the competition three times and inspiring many of the artists he worked closely with over the years.”
Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
20. Emily Bett Rickards
Rickards' Felicity Smoak worked as a hacker on Team Arrow before she fell and eventually married Oliver Queen and became a series regular during season 1. However, in 2019, the actress revealed she'll be leaving the show at the end of season 7.
“Felicity and I are a very tight two,” she wrote via Instagram. “But after [seasons] one through seven we will be saying goodbye to you.”
Dean Buscher/The CW
21. Chris Meloni
It was 12 seasons of playing Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU before Melone decided to walk away from the longtime hit show. And although he left abruptly and left writers scrambling to address his sudden leave in season 13, he has remained close with the cast and crew and is open to return for the show finale.
Getty Images
22. Josh Charles
When Charles' contract on The Good Wife ended in season 5, he decided to step away from his character and the drama. To provide his exit, his character Will Gardner was shockingly shot and killed.
The show then continued on for two more seasons and Charles made an appearance in the season finale as Gardner's ghost.
David M. Russell/CBS
23. Katherine Heigl
Talking about her character Izzie Stevens' exit from Grey's Anatomy, Heigl said, “It’s what I wanted.” She left midway through season 6 to spend more time with her family especially with her then newly-adopted daughter.
Her exit wasn't without drama though. In 2008, she announced she wanted to be out of an Emmy consideration because the writing of her character on Grey's wasn't good enough.
Ellen Pompeo also had something to say about her departure.
“You could understand why she wanted to go — when you’re offered $12 million a movie and you’re only 26. But Katie’s problem is that she should not have renewed her contract,” Pompeo said in an interview in 2016. “She re-upped, took a big raise and then tried to get off the show. And then her movie career did not take off.”
Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images
24. Andrew Lincoln
The Walking Dead fans were shocked and devastated when Andrew Lincoln announced that he'd be exiting the show after nine seasons on it to spend more time with his family.
Fortunately though, as announced by the series creator on his final episode, fans will be seeing more of him in several Rick Grimes-centric films in the coming years.
Gene Page/AMC
25. Nicollette Sheridan
Sheridan starred in The CW's Dynasty reboot for a season and a half before she announced that she would not return for the third season to take care of her terminally ill mother.
Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW
26. Sophia Bush
Bush ended her contract early and left Chicago P.D. after four seasons. She explained that she was unhappy with the conditions on set but she still remains close with many members of the cast.
Matt Dinerstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
27. Steve Carrell
Fans were sad to see Carrell leave The Office after seven seasons, however, as the actor explained, since his contract was up, he wanted to take the chance to spend more time with his family. The show went on for two more seasons and Carrell made a surprise appearance in the series finale.
Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
28. Amy Carlson
Amy Carlson's last appearance on Blue Bloods was in the season 7 finale, however, nobody knew that until it was revealed in the season 8 premiere that her character, Linda Raegan, was killed in a helicopter crash. She told Us Weekly in 2017 that it was a "difficult decision" for her to leave the show.
Heather WInes/CBS
29. Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton
After six seasons on One Tree Hill, lead stars Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, whose characters were married on the show, left the series. Murray did return for a cameo in the show's final season.
In 2017, Burton spoke out detailing sexual assault allegations against showrunner Mark Schwahn which she cited was part of the reason she decided to quit the show.
Fred Norris/ The CW
30. Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Morrison played the beloved Emma Swan on ABC's Once Upon a Time, however, after six seasons, the actress decide to leave the show to transition into more directing roles and take on new opportunities.
“I’m just at an age and a time in my life where I want to be home, I want to be with my family and my friends, to have a chance to have a personal life for a while, and also wanted to be available to do other creative things,” she told Deadline in 2017.
She did make an appearance in the 2018 series finale of the show though.
Jack Rowand/ABC via Getty Images
31. Mischa Barton
At the end of The O.C.'s third season, Barton's character was killed off after she decided to leave the show. The show then continued on for another season before getting canceled.
"I think I just got to the point where I was like, 'I'm not sure I'm enjoying this anymore,’" she said, opening up nine years later while competing on season 22 of Dancing With the Stars. "I just felt like I was in a machine and I couldn't really get off. So it was time to step back. So I went back to England and it was just a year of real self-exploration.”
FOX
32. Nina Dobrev
After six seasons on The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev decided to leave the show in order to take on more adult roles. She did return two seasons later for the series finale.
Bob Mahoney/The CW
33. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor spend seven and a half seasons on Home Improvement before he decided to leave the sitcom midway through its eighth and final season so that he could focus on school. Sadly, he didn't return for the season finale and only appeared through old footage.
ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
34. Connie Britton
Midway through season5 of the show Nashville, Connie Britton's character Rayna James was killed off since the actress was leaving the show to do new things creatively. She did return for the series finale through a flashback which allowed her to perform one last time with Deacon Claybourne.
ABC/KATHERINE BOMBOY-THORNTON
35. Emmy Rossum
In the season 9 finale of Shameless, Emmy Rossum made her final appearance. The actress already revealed that she will be leaving the show months prior but showrunner John Wells wanted to make sure to leave her character Fiona's storyline open-ended.
“I think she's so central to the family and to the show that we'll certainly keep her progress abroad alive. Some of it will depend on Emmy and if she wants to do a scene or a phone call here or there. It was so emotional with her leaving,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2019.
Chuck Hodes/SHOWTIME
36. Shemar Moore
After 11 years playing Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, Moore announced that he was leaving to see what other roles he was capable of playing. He did return for seasons 12 and 13 as a guest star.
Robert Voets/ABC Studios via Getty Images
37. Monica Raymund
At the end of Chicago Fire's season 6, Raymund revealed that she won't be coming back to the show following her contract's end. To give her character an exit, the writers arranged for her character Gabby Dawson to take a job in Puerto Rico.
Raymund did make a surprise appearance during the season 7 premiere. Show cocreator Derek Haas also keeps hope that one day she'll return to the show.
Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Some of these exits were definitely hard to see and some of them were completely shocking. Just imagine being so excited to see all your favorite characters on your show just for it to suddenly reveal that certain characters were killed off or they went off somewhere without an explanation.
We get the artists' reasons though. After all, they can't stay stuck to one show all their careers, right?
Which exit did you hate the most?
