'Castle' Update: Showrunners to write Season 8 finale as if Rick Castle, Kate Beckett may not return for Season 9

The sword of cancellation is once again hanging over “Castle,” as Season 8 ratings continue to slide downward. Showrunners Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter plan to end “Castle” Season 8 on a satisfying note, so that “Castle” viewers are not disappointed if ABC does not renew the series for Season 9.

ABC is not going to announce its decision on “Castle” now, and fans may get to know its fate probably in May. Hawley told TV Line that ABC’s executives won’t make the cancellation or renewal decision until very late, adding, “So our plan is just to tell a satisfying story and try to wrap up the season in an exciting way.”

“… We hope to come back for Season 9, but we have to act as if [we might not],” Winter added. The co-showrunner also pointed out that “Castle” Season 7 finale was written as if it was the final episode of the series.

Earlier this year, there were speculations that “Castle” may not return for Season 8, as all the series regular actors’ contracts were up for renewal, and also, the series popularity is no longer at its peak. ABC confirmed “Castle” Season 8 after Season 7 finale.

“Castle” Season 7 finale, “Hollander's Woods,” provided a sense of conclusion, though it ended on an open note. Beckett passed her Captain’s exam as well as got the offer to run for New York senate, while Castle received Poe’s Pen Career Achievement Award. At the ceremony, Castle paid tribute to all the special people in his life, and he called Beckett his muse and the love of his life. The episode wrapped up with Beckett getting a call, and she leaving with her teammates to solve another murder mystery.

Hawley told TV Line that they think that “Castle” and its characters have “a lot of life in it.” And, speaking about "Castle" Season 8, he said, "That’s the great thing from our side about the storytelling this year, that we do feel energized by the shake-up [Caskett seperation] and what it has allowed us to do."

Meanwhile, “Castle” returns with the remaining episodes of Season 8 on Feb. 01. In addition to revealing more about LOCKSAT, the upcoming episodes will revisit Castle’s disappearance mystery as well.