Kate Beckett leaving 'Castle'! Stana Katic's exit confirmed

Terrible news for Castle fans as ABC announced the exit of Stana Katic and Tamala Jones from the show.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, ABC said, “Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series Castle for the past 8 years. We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship. Tamala Jones has also been an integral part of the series and we are grateful she was a part of Castle.”

Stana Katic plays NYPD detective Kate Beckett on the popular crime drama. “Rather then 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.”

ABC had not renewed Castle after its eighth season but Deadline reports that the show may get short ninth season with 13 episodes.

Tamala Jones who plays Lanie Parish, a medical examiner and Beckett's closest friend on the show, said in a statement, “I’ve had so much fun playing the wonderful and unfiltered Lanie over the past eight seasons... I will greatly miss the cast and crew — it’s been a privilege getting to work with this incredibly hard working group of people. Thank you to ABC for this opportunity and to the fans for their unwavering support. It’s been an incredible journey and I can’t wait for what lies ahead!”

So what happens to Nathan Fillion's Castle now?

Elementary my dear, Castle. There can be no #Caskett without Beckett. pic.twitter.com/YcZ9tbO6nl

— ABC Network (@ABCNetwork) April 13, 2016