Is Damon Wayans Leaving ‘Lethal Weapon’? Everything We Know So Far

Fox’s “Lethal Weapon” is only two episodes into its new season, but there’s already a lot of drama happening. Instead of it playing out onscreen, though, it’s all occurring behind the scenes. Star Damon Wayans (Roger Murtaugh) revealed in a video interview that he’s leaving the series.

“I’m going to be quitting the show in December after we finish the initial 13 [episodes],” Wayans told Electronic Urban Report. “So I really don’t know what they’re planning, but that’s what I’m planning. I’m a 58-year-old diabetic, and I’m working 16-hour days.”

He continued: “It’s hard for me to play this loving, supportive father/husband/ friend on TV, but be the guy in life that is telling everyone, ‘I can’t, I have to work.’”

This news comes just after Wayans’ original co-star, Clayne Crawford (Martin Riggs), was fired at the end of Season 2 for his alleged bad on-set behavior. Crawford was replaced by Seann William Scott, who came in at the start of Season 3 as Murtaugh’s new partner, Wesley Cole.

If Wayans does end up moving on from the show, despite being under contract for six seasons, according to Deadline, then that would leave “Lethal Weapon” without its Riggs or Murtaugh. There’s no news yet from Fox about what it would do with the series should this come to fruition.

Even with all of the complications involved, Wayan explained to the interviewer that he’s not joking about this, and he plans “to return to the [comedy] stage and try to find my smile again” after his exit. Sources told Deadline that the show’s executives and producers were blindsided by this news, and they’re trying to find out if Wayans has actually thought about this decision all the way through.

There are still 11 episodes left to air of Season 3, but the network’s reportedly been considering adding an additional two episodes — bringing the total to 15 — because of the good viewership. It’s unclear how Wayans’ video proclamation will affect the network’s decision, and ability, to extend this season of “Lethal Weapon.”

While the actor’s decision is being finalized, one way or the other, fans can continue to watch new episodes of “Lethal Weapon” on Fox on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT.