8 TV Dramas Facing Major Cast & Relationship Changes This Fall
Fall TV season is almost here — many premieres are the week of September 19 — but we already know of some major changes in store for our favorite shows.
For example, there have been some shocking cast exits announced over the summer, including longtime series stars making their departures on New Amsterdam, Law & Order: SVU, and Chicago P.D. Over on Grey’s Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo will be in a reduced number of episodes. And there are some big relationship changes coming not only on shows where cast members are leaving but also on The Resident following a big cliffhanger in the finale.
Below, we take a look at the fall dramas facing some major shifts.
Chicago P.D.
Intelligence is losing a detective, Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), who has been with the series since before the beginning (having been introduced on Fire). It’s unclear exactly how much we’ll see of him this season; we just know Soffer’s exiting in the fall. And what will that mean for his relationship with Detective Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos)?
CSI: Vegas
When the CSI sequel premiered, original series cast members Jorja Fox and William Petersen returned as Sara Sidle and Gil Grissom, respectively. While neither will be back for the second season, Marg Helgenberger is returning as Catherine Willows.
FBI: Most Wanted
The CBS drama’s biggest casting shakeup inarguably came when Julian McMahon exited last season (and Dylan McDermott came on as the team’s new leader). And the FBI series with the most cast changes has a couple more in store for Season 4: Miguel Gomez exited after two seasons as Ivan Ortiz, and Edwin Hodge is coming in as a new agent.
Grey's Anatomy
It’s impossible to imagine Grey’s without Dr. Meredith Grey — but for a large part of Season 19, that will be the case, with Pompeo only slated to appear in eight episodes.
Law & Order
Anthony Anderson only signed on to return for one year as Detective Kevin Bernard, and Mehcad Brooks is set to join the cast as Detective Jalen Shaw (first appearing in the three-show crossover premiere).
Law & Order: SVU
After 12 seasons as Detective Amanda Rollins, Kelli Giddish will be leaving at some point in Season 24. It’s unclear how many episodes she’ll be in or what this means for Rollisi, since Peter Scanavino (who plays ADA Sonny Carisi) doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
New Amsterdam
The NBC medical drama will be saying goodbye without Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) in its fifth and final season — right after a finale cliffhanger in which she left Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) standing at the (rooftop) altar! Will Sharpwin get their happily ever after?
The Resident
After following Dr. Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry) and Nic Nevin’s (Emily VanCamp) love story for four seasons, he’s ready to move on after losing his wife. But will we see him in a relationship with Dr. Billie Sutton (Jessica Lucas) or Dr. Cade Sullivan (Kaley Ronayne) in Season 6?
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G
So sorry to see Halstead and Rollins leave..
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C
I don't like Rollins leaving. The show will not be the same without her. The executives of all shows need to realize the impact it will have on the show by removing someone that's been there so long.
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O
Why not. They let Law and Order CI go and they were the best of the best.
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B
LOL Chicago P.D. is about to go down the drain fast. The ratings are going to tank. And with NBC cutting the 10:00 PM hour, it'll probably end up canceled anyway. I liked Torres, but it's not a "no-brainer" for him to step up. And we don't know enough about him for him to be "stepping up." If they kill off Halstead, Chicago P.D. is DONE. As for SVU, they're in much better shape. They still have Mariska, so they'll be fine. But, they'll definitely be hit by Rollins' departure. Wolf Entertainment is losing its mind with all these terrible decisions lately.
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O
Why do you think Halstead had that much importance in PD? Cuz I don't. He's probably the character that can most easily slip away without me caring. Though I don't dislike him.
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O
I’d like to see Rollins on Chicago PD
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G
It’s probable NBC may cut the 10pm. They tried it before years ago, but it failed miserably.
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O
Some of these decisions have nothing to do with Wolf Entertainment. Jesse Lee Sofers decision to leave was on him. He has another acting job waiting for him and obviously he was tired of the roll. I do agree that they are making a mistake with Rollins because she did not want to leave the show.
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P
Looking at Jesse's response, he pretty much implies that he's being written off.
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O
I think Chicago PD is the second most popular scripted drama on the network! It didn't go down the drain when Sophia Bush left, and I doubt it's going to do that with Jesse sofer leaving! There's been an official word that NBC is going to dump the 10:00 hour! I'd say it's the same but if Chicago PD doesn't continue on network television it'll be on peacock.
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B
Wrong move, removing Rollins. I love this character. She has great chemistry with the other characters in the show. It’s a big mistake.
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G
Great move. Rollins was a pain and very annoying character.
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C
Going to miss Jay on Chicago PD!!
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G
They need to leave jay and Rollins and Ortiz on their shows they are good
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O
How about we leave Conrad without for awhile longer. And what will Will Halstead on Chicago Med do without his brother???
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O
I don't like Conrad with either of them 🥴 he needs someone else that can mother ❤️his little girl more 🥴🥴❤️
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O
I agree. I think they should have tried to make something with the preschool teacher. Their attraction was natural.
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G
So what’s so unnatural to his attention to Dr. Billie Sutton??
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C
I would like to see another older, wise police veteran join the staff like another Olinski. Not everyone is young in intelligence.
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O
Mey family and friends all believe that with out Merridath grey.there is no show after all the show is about her so cancel it 9r keep the main character in the show and for newamsterdam. She needs to be in the show she is a key character and they need to be together in the end or there's know show to many of our shows are being ruined by poor. Writers and scripting or putting in terrible replacements know 0ne likes its like all the network's have all lost their minds and went stupid when everyone rather have all of our canceled shows back because they are better than the ones you kept yall have terrible taste when you are making decisions that affect your viewers)
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G
Meredith leaving or being on a couple times doesn't bother me . New Amsterdam on the other hand, Helen not coming back is hard to hear. Her and Max needs the happily ever after, since they destroyed season four. I can't say I will watch season five , How do they explain Sharpe not being there.
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R
What a big mistake,why remove Rollins? I don't like it at all!!
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R
All these changes are messed up.
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O
I think they don't like romance on svu but I do think they like the power of hiring &firing the best people. That's too bad. I think they might be losing fans. I have nearly every episode of svu. I just about could care less if they end this show. I don't watch any of wolf's shows. And svu was my favorite. Oh well.
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R
Jay us going to be very missed on Chicago PD
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R
I'm sad Rollins leaving
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R
This big shake up with a lot of the characters departing for one reason or another,leaves little to be desired in watching the shows.
I will be looking for something else to fill my TV watching time.
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G
I've never liked the role of Amanda Rollins on Law and Order SVU so it's time for her to exit and I wish Kelli Giddish the best in whatever she does in the future.
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G
I hate Chicago PD I have watched that in years Halsteads character hooked up with every parter he had. Same BS year after year with him no rw storyline.
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P
Wow. I don't watch any of them.
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G
Me either. I used to watch Blue Bloods until Amy Carlson left.
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O
Good riddance to Soffer on Chicago PD
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