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.”
2. 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.
3. 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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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."
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.”
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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