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Gayle King Not Leaving CBS Mornings, According to the Network
After denying the rumors that she would leave, CBS News confirms her contract is until May 2026 and there have been no talks
CBS News told PEOPLE on Oct. 30 that the news of Gayle King’s departure from CBS Mornings next year is a lie. Several outlets had insinuated that the anchor, who was with CBS This Morning since its launch and has been a constant through the program’s rebrand to CBS Mornings, was going to resign.
Upon being confronted with such speculations, a CBS News representative said, “There have been no talks with Gayle regarding her contract which is until May 2026. She is a great asset to CBS and we are looking forward to working with her in the future.”
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Paramount overhaul sparks Gayle King exit rumors — she remains at CBS Mornings
Paramount Global’s news‑division shakeup led to reports King might leave, but the veteran anchor appears to be keeping her chair
The decision by Paramount Global to effect a major overhaul at CBS News — a change that also includes the canceling of a streaming show related to CBS Mornings — made people speculate that Gayle King could leave the morning show or be moved to a different department at the network. It seems that the 70-year-old is still going to be at the desk. King has been with CBS This Morning since January 2012, and after sharing the anchor chair with Charlie Rose, Norah O’Donnell, and Anthony Mason, she is now co‑anchoring with Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson.
Gayle King has interviewed presidents and celebrities — and stayed composed during the explosive R. Kelly sit‑down
Gayle King has interviewed world leaders and cultural icons — from President Barack and Michelle Obama to friend Oprah Winfrey — but one of her most infamous interviews was with R. Kelly in 2019. The conversation unexpectedly turned confrontational: King stayed composed, as she kept calling his name, “Robert,” he was getting more and more agitated. “It escalated rather quickly,” she told PEOPLE, recalling that the exchange “went from 0 to 200” in a flash.
King said she could see his anger building but didn’t quite anticipate that he would actually get up from his chair, yell and spit at her; she said that her reaction was not to do the same. After R. Kelly’s convictions on federal racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, the interview subsequently went viral again and is still considered one of the moments in which King demonstrated her calmness in a tense situation.
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Gayle King says interviewing fulfills her lifelong love of connecting with people
A fourth-grade note changed the trajectory of a career fueled by curiosity — “I really like people,” she told Colbert
Gayle King claims that her work is the realization of her lifelong curiosity about people. In fact, while recalling her 2016 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she delivered a note from the teacher to the parents informing them that the child “tends to talk a lot in class,” which was a moment of her childhood that she now considers a gift. “It is quite ironic that I make my living by talking,” King said. “I really like people.”
Celebrity artistes who decided to leave their successful TV shows
Mehcad Brooks Leaves Law & Order Before 25th Season
In a move that no one expected, Mehcad Brooks decided to quit the show in 2025 which is NBC’s Law & Order just before the 25th season. The actor, who came on board the series in 2022, was the lead role of Detective Jalen Shaw in the last three seasons of the show.
Jax Taylor isn’t coming back to Season 3 of The Valley
Bravo star says he is moving away from the show to focus on his sobriety, mental health and co-parenting during divorce
In July 2025, Jax Taylor decided to not come back to The Valley for its third season and stated that his priority was “my sobriety, my mental health, and co-parenting.” The Bravo star, who is in the middle of a divorce fight with estranged wife Brittany Cartwright, wrote that the time off is “to become the best version of myself—especially for our son, Cruz.”
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Three SNL cast members leave before Season 51
Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker each confirmed in a separate and consecutive day that they would not be coming back for the 51st season of Saturday Night Live. Longfellow and Walker were each a part of the sketch show for three seasons, whereas Wakim is going out after a single season.
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Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim Depart Saturday Night Live Before Season 51
Popular with fans, the cast members decide to leave after 8 and 7 seasons
It is reported that the duo of Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim, the two most beloved characters of the SNL, are not coming back for the 51st season of the sketch series. Gardner has been with the show for eight seasons and Nwodim for seven. This happened just a few weeks after Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim made the same announcements.
Sofia Mattsson leaves General Hospital after seven years
Sofia Mattsson parted ways with General Hospital in the summer of 2025. She had been playing the role of Sasha Gilmore for seven years. The exit of her character was explained as a move from Port Charles to Paris.
Tracy Ifeachor In Not The Second Season Of The Pitt After The First One Went Well
Tracy Ifeachor is no more among the main characters of The Pitt, a medical drama series on HBO Max, after the show’s first season which has been a breakout. “I was really lucky to be the character of Dr. Heather Collins in such a revolutionary season and a great piece of work,” she said in an Instagram post on July 10, expressing her gratitude to the fans and the stories they gave her.
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Joel, Pedro Pascal’s character, goes horrible way on The Last of Us
Fans couldn’t believe Joel was impaled in season two — the killing is reminiscent of The Last of Us Part II, and Pascal quipped that he “likes to die”
It’s true that people may have thought of Joel’s death after the second season since it’s a close adaptation of the 2020 game The Last of Us Part II, but the actual on-screen moment of his violent impalement in April 2025 still surprised a lot of people. Pascal, whose characters have been on the receiving end of gruesome deaths in the likes of Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took the killing scene lightly and joked: “I get killed a lot,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I like to die.”
Peter Krause leaves 9-1-1 after an April episode in which Bobby Nash dies
The actor states that the character’s sacrificial send-off is a tribute to the first responders; the showrunner says that the stakes demanded the choice
After “one wild adventure,” Peter Krause confirmed that he is leaving 9‑1‑1 after an April 2025 episode in which his character, LAFD captain Bobby Nash, is killed off in a heroic sacrifice. “Bobby Nash went out in sacrifice, and he was a character that fit this perfectly,” Krause told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement, explaining that the arc is a gesture to the first responders who make the ultimate sacrifice so that others “can see another day.”
Showrunner Tim Minear told Variety that the decision to kill a main character was a tough one but still necessary: “After eight years, it just felt like, if we want to have any future of real stakes in our stories, then somebody has to die.”
Paige DeSorbo is no longer a part of Summer House after seven seasons
The Giggly Squad cohost shares that it’s time to move on, thanking the fans for the memories
Paige DeSorbo made it known in June 2025 that she would not be a part of Bravo’s Summer House any longer after seven seasons. “Over these last 7 summers you have seen me grow up. I will always be thankful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities that this crazy ride has given me,” she mentioned on Instagram. She also indicated that “like all good things (and some bad decisions), it’s time for this chapter to be closed.”
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Camille Razat will not be a part of the fifth season of the series Emily in Paris
The French actress revealed to her followers on Instagram that she is moving on after the “amazing journey” and that she thanks the crew and the fans.
Camille Razat won’t be starring in another season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris. She posted the pictures of the cast from the last time on April 23 and commented, “After an incredible journey, I decided to leave the show ‘Emily in Paris’. It has been a wonderful experience, full of personal growth, artistic inspiration, and great memories.”
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Reneé Rapp Leaves The Sex Lives of College Girls After Two Seasons
The Actress Made the Exit Announcement in July, Thanking the Series and Referring to Her Music Career
Reneé Rapp is going to be the one to confirm her departure from the series “The Sex Lives of College Girls” which will be the next season 3. On social media in July 2023, Rapp made the announcement, writing that the show had been a significant part of her life:”College Girls moved me out to LA and introduced me to some of my favorite people. 2 and a half years later—it’s given me y’all and this community.”
Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s co-creators, also acknowledged Rapp’s departure, sending love and support via Instagram Stories: “We love @reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye to Leighton Murray!” Mindy also mentioned Reneé Rapp’s music career taking off and added, “We are not the ones to wait our friend on tour!”
Kevin Costner confirms he won’t return to finish Yellowstone’s final season
Once again, in June 2024, amid more than a year of rumors, Costner made it clear that he wouldn’t be back to finish Season 5
More than a year ago, it was reported that Kevin Costner had left the fan-favorite Paramount drama abruptly after four and a half seasons. In response to those rumors, in June 2024, he finally made it clear that he would not be coming back to finish the fifth and final season of the series.
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Ellen Pompeo leaves Grey’s Anatomy as a series regular after 19 years
Pompeo said that she wanted a different vibe in her life — she left as a regular in Feb. 2023, came back for a May guest spot and is still the narrator of the show
After 19 years playing Meredith Grey, Ellen Pompeo scrubbed in for the last time as a series regular on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in February 2023. On The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022, Pompeo said, “I have to change it a little… I’m 53, my brain is like scrambled eggs. I have to do something new.” She was back in the show for a guest spot in May and is still the narrator of the series.
Henry Cavill to Leave The Witcher; Liam Hemsworth to Replace as Geralt
Cavill made it known that he is quitting the role after Season 3 in his announcement. Hemsworth will be playing the role of Geralt in Season 4 (and maybe further).
It was made known by Henry Cavill that he would be moving away from The Witcher Netflix series after its third season, with Liam Hemsworth released as the next person to take the mantle of Geralt in the fourth season. In an October 2022 Instagram post, Cavill shared, “My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been great both with monsters and adventures… Too bad it is the case that I will be putting away my medallion and my swords for the 4th season.”
Jesse Lee Soffer, a founding member of the cast, leaves the show after 10 seasons
After the episode of Oct. 5, the original cast member says goodbye to Detective Jay Halstead
Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member of NBC’s Chicago P.D., departed the series after 10 seasons, handing in his badge in the Oct. 5 episode. Thinking about his period on the show, Soffer mentioned, “It has been a labor of love for everyone who has been involved with the show to produce this hour drama week after week. I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead.”
Madeleine Mantock departs Charmed before season 4
First of all, as a parental figure to the sisters for three seasons, Mantock referred to the part as “a great honor” and expressed her gratitude to the cast, crew and creatives
In 2021, Madeleine Mantock decided to quit The CW’s Charmed before its fourth season. The statement of the actress who was the eldest sister Macy in the show for three seasons, was full of thanks to the experience and a compliment to the producers, creatives, cast and crew of the show.
Megan Boone’s Elizabeth Keen leaves The Blacklist
Boone’s character dies in a flashback after she leaves the NBC suspense for good at the end of Season 8
Megan Boone decided to exit the show The Blacklist on NBC after the eighth season, and it was made known to fans through a short film that Elizabeth Keen died off in a flashback scene before she could open the letter that would have revealed Reddington’s identity. In 2021, Boone quit Liz’s arc through an Instagram post in which she described the whole experience as “a dream.”
Breakout Duke Rege-Jean Page Leaves Bridgerton
After one amazing season, the Duke of Hearts decided not to come back for Season 2 and described his leaving as a simple exit rather than a dramatic one
Rege-Jean Page, a breakout star of Netflix’s Bridgerton, as the Duke, was not part of the show’s second season in 2021. Upon his departure, he shared with Vanity Fair, “I was hired to do a certain job and once I did the job, I went and did some other jobs. That’s all there is to the story. I wish it was more glamorous than that.”
Season 1 of Ruby Rose’s Batwoman
The actress led the way with the first gay superhero in a major franchise; she left only two days after the finale of Season 1, and the character was changed and played by another actor
In the 2018 Arrowverse crossover, Ruby Rose was introduced as Kate Kane/Batwoman and she led The CW’s Batwoman for its first season, which was a historic moment for the first lesbian superhero to be the lead of a network series. Rose left the show two days after the Season 1 finale was broadcast in 2020, as per her announcement. In the next season, the show decided to continue with a different character, thus introducing a new Batwoman, Ryan Wilder (played by Javicia Leslie), while later, actor Wallis Day was brought in to represent a recast version of Kate Kane after the character undergoes a face‑change in the storyline.
America Ferrera Leaves Superstore After Season 5
In 2020, Ferrera left the show as a regular but came back in the early episodes of Season 6 and made a cameo in the series finale
At the end of Season 5 in 2020, America Ferrera decided to leave Superstore, thus ending her stint as Cloud 9 manager Amy Sosa. Because of the pandemic, the shooting schedule was a bit irregular, so she was still in the first two episodes of Season 6. When Season 6 was announced as the final one, Ferrera showed up in the last episode to say goodbye to Amy and Jonah in a nice way.
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Jason Ralph leaves The Magicians following Quentin’s sacrificial send-off
In the final episode of Season 4, Quentin achieves his mission to save Eliot but gives up his life — Ralph didn’t make a cameo in Season 5
Jason Ralph’s character Quentin in the 2019 Season 4 finale of Syfy’s The Magicians sacrificed himself while saving Eliot (Hale Appleman). The show is known for its characters dying and later coming back to life, however, Ralph didn’t return to the series for the last fifth season.
Lauren Cohan leaves The Walking Dead for a while, comes back later as Maggie Greene
Lauren Cohan left The Walking Dead in 2018 during the time of her contract negotiations which lasted for a long time, thus fans were left in a dark about the fate of Maggie Greene. Additionally, she was featured in a few episodes of the ninth season, however, after the show’s six-year time leap her character was missing. The producers were still hoping that Maggie would come back — so after Cohan’s short-lived ABC series Whiskey Cavalier was canceled, she returned her debut in the 16th episode of the season, which was released in October 2020.
Danai Gurira Leaves The Walking Dead as Michonne
Gurira came in Season 3 and her last appearance was in a Season 10 episode that aired in March 2020
Danai Gurira came to AMC’s The Walking Dead in Season 3 as the sword-carrying Michonne and she left the series with her last on-screen appearance in March 2020. The exit of her character was the turning point after the farewell of a lot of major characters and the end of the era that defined the core ensemble of the show.
Nicollette Sheridan Leaves Dynasty Before the Third Season
She was just a recurring character in the first season and a series regular in the second season. In 2019, Nicollette Sheridan left the Dynasty reboot to look after her mother, who was ill.
Nicollette Sheridan, the actress who amazingly reinterpreted the role of Alexis Carrington in The CW’s Dynasty reboot, declared that she will not be coming back for the third season in 2019. The role, which was only briefly seen in the first season, was a series regular in the second season, and Sheridan made an announcement that she was going to quit her acting career and be with her mother who was sick.
George Eads leaves MacGyver halfway through the season
In 2019, Eads decided to quit the CBS reboot in order to dedicate more time to his family
In 2019, George Eads left CBS’s MacGyver and thus left the show in the middle of Season 3. He mentioned that it was a take-off from the show and a time for him to be with his family that made him decide to leave.
As the series closes after Season 3, Damon Wayans leaves Lethal Weapon
After Wayans mentioning the difficult schedule, the firing of co-star Clayne Crawford and Wayans raising health concerns; Fox decided to cancel the show after Season 3.
Damon Wayans of Lethal Weapon on Fox wrote on his Facebook that he would not be returning to the show after the 13-episode third season. According to him, the reason for the long hours and his health compelled him to make the decision on his own. “I am a 58-year-old diabetic and I work 16-hour days,” he said. His exit is a result of the one made of Clayne Crawford after Season 2. The producers have therefore decided to end the series with a Season 3 finale announcement of a cancellation following the news of the firing.
Cameron Monaghan leaves — then comes back — to Shameless
The character of Ian Gallagher was removed from the show in season 9 but the actor returned to the series later seasons and the finale
During the ninth season of Shameless, Cameron Monaghan left the show with the exit of his character Ian Gallagher, who was incarcerated, as Monaghan was looking for new opportunities after nine years of the show. In spite of this exit, he later agreed to a comeback in season 10 and was with the show until the 11th and final season, which was released in December 2020.
