‘Castle’ Season 8 finale ends the series; Stana Katic, Nathan Fillion say goodbye to beloved characters
Castle 6x22 a.ka. ‘Crossfire’ original air date on ABC: May 16, 2016
“Castle” Season 8 ends on May 16 on ABC. The network has confirmed there is no Castle Season 9, so series stars Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion have both dished their own tribute to the cast and crew of the show, while fans are bracing themselves for the final time that they would see NYPD’s 12th Precinct Captain Catherine “Kate” Beckett and macabre writer Richard “Rick” Castle.
It was earlier reported that Stana Katic is leaving “Castle” because of ABC’s budget constraints. Tamala Jones, who plays Lanie Parrish, was also on her way out. At the time, Castle Season 9 was not exactly expected but fans of Nathan Fillion had hoped to see Rick in a new light -- as the titular character moving on presumably after the demise of his muse.
Related: ‘Castle’ Season 9 News: Stana Katic Leaving, cast members and Andrew Marlowe disappointed
That Kate Beckett dies in the “Castle” Season 8 finale was something the fans both feared and anticipated. Series creator Andrew Marlowe and his wife and co-showrunner Terri Edda Miller had planted Castle and Beckett in a solid ground before leaving the series in the hands of longtime writers Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter. There is no plausible way for Beckett to leave Castle except by death.
Some fans did hope for “Castle” to be cancelled rather than going on without Stana Katic. They are posting their reactions in social media sites now, saying, “ABC heard us.”
It’s a shame that the “Castle” Season 8 finale was not exactly planned to be the series ending. The producers reportedly filmed two possible endings – Plan A in the event of a series renewal, Plan B in case of a series cancellation. A fan would guess that Beckett dies in one of those plans. And now that there is no “Castle” Season 9, the showrunners could deliver some kind of “happy ending.”
Marlowe and Miller actually did deliver a wonderful series finale type of season ender a year ago: Beckett is about to become a senator, fulfilling a prophecy delivered by a time traveler from an old episode. In case the “Castle” Season 8 finale fails to satisfy the fans, they could always go back to “Hollander’s Woods,” the seventh season finale which also has an answer on why Rick decided to become a macabre novelist.
Here are social media posts from Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion, who have both gone on Twitter to connect to fans soon after ABC’s cancellation announcement was reported.
Goodbye Kate Beckett – Stana Katic on Twitter
Love, S pic.twitter.com/oZUENEj2XQ
— Stana Katic (@Stana_Katic) May 13, 2016
Nathan Fillion may (or may not) live tweet the final episode of “Castle” on ABC
All things must end. It has been an honor working with the men and women of Castle. I am truly amazed at what we’ve done. Thank you all.
— Nathan Fillion (@NathanFillion) May 13, 2016
“Castle” supporting actor Jon Huertas (Javier Esposito) also tweets farewell message(s)
Aight I’ve processed the end of living an 8 year dream & now I must thank those who have made that dream possible. You! The #Castle fans…
— Jon Huertas (@Jon_Huertas) May 13, 2016
Molly Quinn (Alexis Castle) also has a farewell message
#Castle was a cornerstone of my life.
— Molly C. Quinn (@MollyQuinn93) May 13, 2016
A safe environment to learn.
Thank you @ABCNetwork for giving a carrottop kid of 14 an amazing start
And from Rick Castle’s mother, Martha Rodgers:
You are my family.... These connections are forever! Privileged to be part of 8 seasons of a series with heart #lv pic.twitter.com/FNxiGNYOkw
— Susan Sullivan (@realssullivan) May 13, 2016
“Castle” Season 8, Episode 22 is titled "Crossfire." Let us know what you think of the series finale in the comments section below!
