Why Was ‘Castle’ Canceled? ABC Boss Explains Why Show Wasn’t Renewed For Season 9 After Stana Katic’s Exit

Fans of ABC’s “Castle” are finally getting some answers about why the show was canceled a week before its Season 8 finale. During the Television Critics Association’s press tour on Thursday, ABC president Channing Dungey opened up about the network’s decision not to renew the series. He also touched on Stana Katic’s surprising exit from her role as Beckett.

According to a tweet by Variety reporter Debra Birnbaum, Dungey explained to the audience that ABC didn’t think it was “the right thing to do” by ordering a ninth season of the show. Entertainment Weekly reported that Dungey elaborated saying that the decision to cancel the show came shortly after Katic’s departure because things on set were running on “two parallel tracks.” He explained: “We were always very up-front with the studio and the producers about the possibility that we might not be bringing the show back for Season 9, but the studio has to do what they need to do in order to prepare for the possibility of Season 9. So they did what they felt they needed to do in order to be ready if they did get the nod.”

In April it was announced that Katic wouldn’t be reprising her role as Castle’s (Nathan Fillion) love interest. Deadline reported at the time that Katic wasn’t given the option to renew her contract. “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,” Katic said in a statement. “Thank you to the fans.”

“Castle” ended its series with a finale in May. Even though fans weren’t happy to say goodbye to the show, they still got to see Castle and Beckett live happily ever after in a bonus scene. It showed three young children running around before sitting down for a family breakfast with the happy couple. There’s also a chance that fans could get to find out more about Castle and Beckett’s story in a book. “Castle” creator Andrew W. Marlowe hinted at the idea in a tweet, writiting: “Did someone say a book series? How cool would that be?”