We expect to see cops in police procedurals, doctors in medical shows, and dragons on dragon shows.

But what happens when a TV series jumps its genre guardrails and goes rogue?

This scenario happens more often than you’d think, especially with shows taking a supernatural twist.

It’s so common there’s even a name for it: The Paranormal Trope.

Wait … Did You Hear That??

TV shows often feature a supernatural episode for Halloween, which makes sense.

It’s a time of year when spooky shenanigans can be enjoyed and easily explained away (or just never mentioned again).

A “true” supernatural aspect buried in that holiday’s fake trappings blurs the line between a show’s established reality and how much that reality can stretch to accommodate a detour into the paranormal.

This often manifests as “help” from a ghost that turns out to be real or a prophecy that turns out to be true.

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A lot of times, it’s tied to an object or item of clothing that gives the wearer access to the spiritual realm or takes them to a different time period.

The “Halloween” episode of My So-Called Life is a high school textbook example of this, where a vintage costume brings Angela (Claire Danes) into the ghostly orbit of Nicky, a student who violently died at their school’s Halloween dance in 1963.

And if you thought Happy Days was done with oddball episodes after jumping the shark, check out Season 11’s “The Spirit is Willing.” 

In this one, Fonzie’s latest classic car restoration project makes him wish it was “1955 forever.”

Little does he know that the car comes factory-installed with a gorgeous ghost determined to make that happen.

These Halloween episodes are one-offs, though.

They feature events that are on the more plausible end of the supernatural spectrum.

They also do not permanently alter the show’s main world.

There’s Got to Be a Perfectly Logical Explanation

Departure episodes of this type aren’t confined to a specific holiday, and their supernatural aspect doesn’t have to be scary. 

A great example is Castle’s “Time Will Tell” episode where a time traveler from the future tries to prevent a disaster and it’s ultimately left ambiguous as to whether he and his mission were real or not.

Shows that skew toward the supernatural in the first place have their own version of the Paranormal Trope, just in reverse.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer did this with the Season 6 episode “Normal Again,” where Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) wakes up in a mental institution, and it is insinuated that the entire series has been a hallucination.

Showrunner Joss Whedon has stated that “Normal Again” was a bit of a fake-out and that he believes Sunnydale and the rest of the series were always “real,” but this one outlier episode gives viewers the option to consider that everything they’ve watched for years has been just a dream. 

The best of these supernatural episodes do exactly what “Normal Again” did:

They leave a show’s canon intact while calling its overall reality into question, should viewers choose to entertain that possibility. 

But what happens when a show’s supernatural turn isn’t a mere blip but a full-on change of direction?

Tell Me You’re Seeing This, Too

The original run of Roseanne (1988 – 1997) featured a complete U-Turn out of reality in its then-final ninth season (the series was revived years later in various forms).

Praised for its realistic depiction of blue-collar life at a time when sitcoms seemed to only feature wealthy white-collar professionals, Roseanne began its ninth season by having the Conner family win the lottery.

Giving millions of dollars to the perpetually broke Conners was a departure in itself, but that was just the beginning of increasingly bizarre episodes featuring Roseanne on classic TV shows or Darlene giving birth to Satan.

The series took yet another turn in its final episode by attempting to explain what we’d been watching all season:

Roseanne was writing a book to deal with her grief over a death in the family, so everything we’d seen in Season 9 – and possibly the entire show – was fiction.

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This series ending was deeply unsatisfying rather than comforting and marred the legacy of a truly great ’90s show.

Even though Roseanne’s format change spanned an entire season, it has more in common with the “It Was All a Dream” trope than an unexplained genre diversion.

This Might Sound A Bit Far-Fetched, But …

A more recent example of true genre-jumping is My Lady Jane, a Prime Video series that is a loose retelling of how the actual Lady Jane Grey became Queen of England for nine days in the year 1553.

It pretty much goes without saying that a historical series will take liberties with available facts.

Still, Prime Video completely buried the lead that My Lady Jane is actually a historical paranormal romance.

As in, some characters can turn into hawks, bears, and horses, which is startling when it happens out of the blue in an otherwise realistic first episode. 

This development upends our previous expectations for the show and introduces an entirely different genre.

Of course, it’s not as if the show suddenly transported its characters and setting into outer space, but this turn to the supernatural is permanent and creates an alternate history where the established monarchy persecutes shifters.

A dramatic change in a show’s direction can be either delightful or disturbing.

What’s tolerable in a one-off episode can become polarizing when series-long expectations are undermined.

In My Lady Jane, the (literal!) shift in tone occurs early enough to let viewers exit the ride without wasting much time. It also helps avoid the kind of betrayal some viewers experienced when Roseanne shifted gears eight seasons in.

My Lady Jane’s cancellation after one season indicates the danger of keeping genre shifts a surprise.

We’ll never know how big of an audience the show might have had with more descriptive marketing. 

We’ll Cover More Ground If We Split Into Two Groups

Supernatural departure episodes can be just as divisive as longer, more permanent turns for a series.

Few would call Barry realistic, but Season 2’s “Ronny/Lily” episode stretches fully into the absurd.

This is the one with the little girl karate master who can jump on roofs and may not be entirely human. 

The episode is gory even for a famously gory show, but it’s the seriously disturbing images of this otherworldly little girl leaping around defying gravity that give it a peculiar tinge of horror.

Fans of the show seem to either love or hate this discordant episode (full disclosure: right here is where this author tapped out on Barry), proving once again how powerful these supernatural episodes can be.

Wait… Didn’t We Already Pass This Way??

The Paranormal Trope is a time-honored TV tradition that allows shows to play around and have fun. 

Even the cheerfully calm show Ted Lasso explored this territory with “Beard After Hours,” a fever dream homage to the Scorsese film and one of the most hated episodes of the entire series.  

In it, Coach Beard rides the train home by himself after a match during a blue moon.

He quickly loses his wallet, his pants, and all sense of direction as he spends the evening bouncing from one hyper-absurd scenario to another in his quest to get home.

Viewers may have had more tolerance for these experimental episodes when TV seasons were much longer, and the individual stakes weren’t as high.

Still, it’s fascinating to see how much controversy they can generate today.

What are your favorite supernatural episodes of otherwise realistic shows? Let us know in the comments!

The post When Reality Went Rogue: ‘Normal’ Shows That Took a Supernatural Turn appeared first on TV Fanatic.

However, many current procedurals focus more on gritty violent crimes, and it’s challenging to balance between showing realistic cases and adding some humor.

The TV Fanatic Staff compiled some suggestions of older and current procedurals that feature heart and vibrant characters that stand out from the pack.

Castle

Castle had an outstanding balance of humor and case logistics, keeping a light-hearted tone that meshed well with the grislier aspects of its murder plots.

Nathan Fillion, as celebrity author/permanent police ride along Rick Castle, was the undisputed high court jester.

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Still, he graciously left room for cop sidekicks Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) to elicit chuckles of their own. Even Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) also got some deadpan digs in.

It could be argued that Castle leaned too heavily into humor.

However, the show created its own unique tonal ecosystem that worked perfectly and still delivered an hour of satisfying crime-solving. 

Available to Stream on Sling TV, Hulu, or Disney +

Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0 included plentiful action and a police unit that became a family, with Steve and Danny, a bickering old couple.

Steve and Danny became one of the most popular buddy-cop bromances, bantering often in the infamous car. Danny’s charming nature balanced Steve’s tall and brooding personality.

It also featured hilarious supporting players such as conspiracy-wielder Jerry and food-truck philosopher Kamekona.

Hawaii Five-0 built an impressive, talented, and diverse cast. Before Grace Park starred in A Million Little Things, she starred as Kona, a former pro surfer now a rookie cop. She shined on Hawaii Five-0, and it was refreshing to see such a multicultural cast and beautiful scenery combined with rich characters.

Available to Stream on Paramount +

Magnum P.I.

Reboots don’t always work, but Magnum P.I. (2018-2024) meshed well with audiences. They kept many important things the same, such as still taking place on beautiful Oahu in Hawaii.

At its heart were still unit-mates Thomas, T.C., and Rick. They were best friends, but their lives changed, and they tackled new adventures together.

 But the twist was Magnum and a female Higgins becoming partners, then lovers. Partners becoming romantic lovers is such a fun trope, and the tension between Magnum and Higgins was intense during Season 4.

Even though Magnum P.I. ended earlier than we would have liked, Magnum and Higgins got the payoff that fans often beg for.

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CBS created a fantastic pair of ohanas from Hawaii with Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., but only Magnum P.I. got a reprieve from NBC with an extra season renewal.

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Psych

Psych did an excellent job blending comedy and mystery while entertaining audiences with compelling characters.

They did such a great job that Peacock created several movies after the series originally ended on USA Network.

The series focused on Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez), a fake psychic who assisted the Santa Barbara Police Department in solving crimes.

The series almost plays as a comedy with the interactions between the characters, whether it was the witty banter between Shawn and his partner Gus or Shawn getting on Lassiter’s last nerve.

Having Shawn and Gus’s friendship at the core of the series allowed it to shine. Gus was Shawn’s right-hand man at their detective agency. While they poked fun at each other’s weaknesses, they would die for each other and nearly did a few times saving each other in hostage situations.

These strong friendships are often missing in current procedurals, which was one of the reasons we were so excited to continue their journeys in the Psych films.

Available to Stream on Peacock and Prime Video

Monk

Monk also featured quirky cases and comedic charm similar to Psych.

Monk followed the brilliant and troubled detective Adrian Monk, who struggled with OCD and other psychosis. These challenges helped him understand people but also made his job difficult.

Monk balanced heartfelt stories, balancing his challenges of interacting with people with real-life humorous moments.

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Until then, there hadn’t been a series with a detective having OCD. While many modern procedurals may have kept Monk an outcast, the series made a point of having other characters being amazed or even admiring him.

Addressing mental health issues like depression and OCD and giving him the skills to be like a superhero was so imperative.

Recently, Peacock featured a follow-up movie, Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.

Available to Stream on Peacock and Netflix

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was one of the procedurals that started it all, and the series lasted for 15 seasons.

While “The Nerd Squad” was about solving crimes and finding justice for the victims and their families, part of the appeal of the series was the cast’s connection.

While we didn’t often see inside their homes, the series delved into the characters’ personal lives through different cases, and that deepened bonds between the characters and the viewers’ investment.

Some of the best relationships were the friendships between Grissom and Warrick, and Sara, Nick, and Greg. Like many other procedurals, we loved the slow-burn romance of Grissom and Sara, which took years to develop.

We hoped that CSI: Vegas would help fill the void, but nothing is as good as the original.

Available to Stream on Paramount + and Hulu.

Private Eyes

Private Eyes was an entertaining investigative series starring Jason Priestley as an ex-pro hockey player, Matt Shade, who teamed up with a feisty private investigator, Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson).

They became partners at Everett Investigations, and while they were opposites, those personalities and skills often benefitted them in their quirky weekly cases.

It was amusing watching them pretend to be a couple undercover at times, but they grew to know each other intimately as their relationship evolved.

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They exhibit an intense pull-pull chemistry as viewers root for them to get together.

Like many Canadian procedurals, Private Eyes is light and breezy with comedic elements. The two leads have wonderful chemistry, and the supporting cast adds to the entertainment.

Barry Flatman plays Don Shade, Matt’s dad; Jordyn Negri plays Jules, Matt’s teenage daughter; Samantha Wan plays Zoe, Matt and Angie’s assistant.

Available to Buy/ Stream from Prime Video

Will Trent

Will Trent is a different kind of procedural since the lead GBI agent has dyslexia, is neurodiverse and uses his ability to observe people and cases differently to his advantage. Those who liked Monk will appreciate this series.

While some of the cases are gritty and violent, they also explore the characters’ history, such as Amanda or Angie’s sexual trauma or Will’s abuse in foster care.

Season 2 examined many character-centric episodes and further dove into each character’s past.

It doesn’t mean there isn’t humor, though. Det Ormewood and Angie often explored funnier cases, and one of the best cases in Season 2 was when both teams investigated a murder at a drag queen club. Seeing a proper Will Trent inside was so hilarious.

And Betty, the series mascot, makes everything better.

Available to Stream on the ABC app, Hulu, and Disney+

Wild Cards

Wild Cards is another fun procedural, mainly because of the premise.

Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) has been demoted at work, while Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) was a professional con artist.

As luck would have it, while being arrested, she uses her skills to help Ellis solve a local crime.

The two are offered a chance to work together and redeem themselves, and it’s hilarious because working with Max drives Ellis crazy, but they eventually learn to trust one another.

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While it wasn’t initially planned, Jason Priestly stars in another one of these lighthearted procedurals as Max’s conman father. While he’s in prison, he still offers advice on cases when Max comes to visit him.

Available to Stream on the CW app and Hulu

These are only a few of the lighter procedurals. Let us know in the comments below if we missed your favorites.

The post Nine Procedurals That Focused as Much on Characters as Cracking Cases appeared first on TV Fanatic.

And with those words, the ABC series Castle (2009-2016) became one of our favorite shows. It was witty, amusing, and heartfelt. It was a show with a unique talent for making murder fun.

The two lead characters, writer Richard Castle, played by Nathan Fillion, and Detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic, had sexual chemistry so hot it could melt your screen.

But the show lost its luster somewhere between the wildly entertaining Castle Season 1 and the slog that was Castle Season 8. It wasn’t one big thing — well, maybe there was one big thing — but a lot of little missteps and missed opportunities that disappointed fans over the years.

So, as much as we adored the show and in some ways always will, let’s recap the moments fans longed to see but never did.

A Real Wedding

Yes, this is the biggest misstep on the list. We know Rick and Kate eventually got married during Castle Season 7 Episode 6, and their vows were beautiful, but the quickie, obviously green-screened ceremony was not!

The Castle Season 6 finale strung fans along, making them believe they would see their favorite couple tie the knot in the Hamptons overlooking the ocean and in front of their family and friends.

After steadfastly watching for six seasons, fans deserved that moment.

What they got was Kate Beckett in tears while wearing her mother's now destroyed wedding dress and the missing Rick Castle’s car on fire. If they wanted to start Castle Season 7 with another epic mystery, they could have done it while still giving fans a full episode to enjoy the wedding they longed to see. 

Castle Never Learned What His Books Meant To Kate

During Castle Season 1 Episode 9, Beckett’s ex, Will Sorenson, remarks on a younger Kate waiting in line for over an hour to have Rick Castle sign one of his novels for her and how Castle’s books helped her deal with her mother’s death.

Over eight seasons, Rick Castle never learned any of this, at least not from the real Kate Beckett because we're not counting that alternate universe version from "The Time of Our Lives."

It’s a shame, as this could have made for quite a heartfelt moment between our favorite couple.

One and Done Should Have Meant One and Done!

"I'm not an 'if at first you don't succeed' kind of a girl, Castle. When it comes to marriage, I'm more of a 'one and done' type."

Kate Beckett told Rick that during Castle Season 1 Episode 2, and fans never forgot it. We all knew Rick Castle was meant to be Kate's one-and-done.

But while fans knew it, the show's writers somehow missed it because, during Castle Season 6 Episode 23, it's revealed that college-aged Kate Beckett married Rogan O'Leary at a drive-thru wedding chapel in Vegas and hadn't remembered she was still married.

It was meant to be a silly obstacle to Rick and Kate getting married. Silly being the operative word, given that as an NYPD detective and former Federal investigator, Beckett would have gone through several comprehensive background checks that would have likely uncovered this wayward spouse.

But what hurt the most was that the show ruined something the fans held dear for a lame gag to impede a wedding that would never happen anyway.

Kate Broke Up With Demming For Castle

Kate Beckett dumped the handsome and incredibly nice detective Tom Demming to take Castle up on his invitation to his house in the Hamptons. But before she had the chance to tell Rick, his ex-wife showed up to accompany him instead.

Kate and the fans were angry and heartbroken. Even when Rick wandered back to the precinct during Castle Season 3 Episode 1, Kate kept the timing of her and Demming's breakup to herself.

Fast forward to Castle Season 5 Episode 4, and Rick finally gets to bring Kate, now his girlfriend, to his Hamptons abode.

This would have been the perfect opportunity for Beckett to share with Castle how she tried to take the chance on him all those years ago, but things went horribly wrong.

Fans longed to see the shocked look on Rick's face when he finally learned that Beckett broke up with Demming for him. It would have been an amazing scene. Alas, it was one viewers never got to see.

Kate Breaking Up With Josh

Beckett claimed she "really, really liked" Josh during her conversation with Rick on the swings during Castle Season 4 Episode 1, but fans really couldn't tell.

At least when Beckett briefly dated Demming, we could see the appeal as he seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

But Kate and Josh had minimal scenes onscreen, and what little we did see painted Josh as an arrogant and mostly absent boyfriend rather than a great guy with whom she had developed real feelings.

And as if to add insult to injury, we only heard secondhand that Josh and Kate were over. Fans couldn't wait to see Beckett dump Dr. Motorcycle Boy, but it never happened onscreen.

Beckett Explaining Why She Hid the Truth

When Kate Beckett was shot at the end of Castle Season 3 Episode 24, Rick poured his heart out to her as she lay bleeding on the ground, telling her for the first time that he loved her.

When Beckett woke up in the hospital, she told Castle she didn't remember anything about her shooting. Viewers quickly learned that it was a lie. She recalled every moment, including Rick's declaration of love.

Fans waited months in the hope that Kate would come clean, but not only didn't that happen — Castle had to call her out on the lie — but she never explained to Rick why she lied to him.

Sure, fans can assume that emotionally, it was all too much for Kate to handle at the time, especially coupled with her PTSD, but Rick deserved to hear that from her, and the audience was equally shortchanged in not hearing it at all.

Kate Telling Her Father She Brought Down Bracken

After Johanna Beckett was murdered, Kate and her father, Jim, had to endure years of not knowing why she was killed and who killed her. After a decade, they discovered that someone had hired a hitman to murder Beckett's mom.

So when Detective Kate Beckett was finally able to arrest Senator William Bracken for ordering Johanna's murder in Castle Season 6 Episode 22, it was a big moment. One that we should have seen her share with her father. Sadly, we never did.

The Old Haunt

Rick Castle bought the bar where he wrote his first novel during Castle Season 3 Episode 10.

The Old Haunt could have been a place where we saw Castle, Beckett, and the gang from the 12th Precinct hang out and unwind, much like the characters on Bones did at the Founding Fathers.

Although we heard The Old Haunt occasionally mentioned in snippets of dialogue, we never saw it again. It was a waste of a unique setting that could have been used for some much-needed character moments.

Hollander's Woods as a Season Arc

Castle spent six full seasons exploring and solving the murder of Kate Beckett's mother. It was the reason why Beckett became a cop. It shaped who she was and her relationships throughout her adult life. It was a great, detailed, dramatic story.

But when it came to why Rick Castle became a mystery writer intrigued by murder, that entire plot was condensed into Castle Season 7 Episode 23.

The series was called Castle, for goodness sake. Uncovering the serial killer that 11-year-old Rick Rodgers, aka Castle, stumbled upon in the woods should have encompassed Castle Season 7 instead of that convoluted story about Rick's strange disappearance.

Talk about a missed opportunity.

More of Esposito, Ryan, and Lanie

One of the downfalls of the series was that it put almost its entire focus on the two lead characters.

As much as we loved Castle and Beckett, the show would have been better served by giving their talented supporting characters more extensive storylines.

Let's face it: Detectives Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito could have carried their own show. Fans begged to know more about Dr. Lanie Parish, but after eight seasons, only had one episode that even remotely focused on her.

If the series had utilized its entire cast better, perhaps its stars wouldn't have burnt out so quickly.

Rewrite all of Castle Season 8

When we first met Richard Castle and Kate Beckett, they were flawed, but they were likable and real.

Castle could be childish and loved outlandish theories, but he was also a smart man who loved his family. By Season 8, he'd become a milquetoast buffoon.

Becket was a smart, by-the-book cop who worked with her team to catch killers and find justice. By Season 8, she had ditched her husband and her team to play superhero, stitching up her own wounds and fighting super spies.

And don't even get us started on whatever the hell LokSat was. We can't explain it now any better than we could then.

What we really wanted to see was Rick and Kate working with their team to solve mysteries and catch killers while juggling regular married couple worries, like when or if to start a family.

Instead, the once safe and secure loft became the sight of an assassination attempt in Castle Season 8 Episode 22 that left Rick and Kate bleeding out on their kitchen floor.

Yes, we got a tacked-on 30-second flash forward to happier times, and we're grateful for that.

But we'd really like to burn everything else about Castle Season 8 from our brains, including its cringe-worthy new characters and the firing of its two leading ladies. Because Season 8 wasn't so much a misstep as a step off a cliff from which the series couldn't recover.

So what do you think, Castle fans? Are you still pining over your favorite show? Which thing on our list is the moment you longed to see most?

And was there anything we left out?

Hit that SHOW COMMENTS button below to let us know.

The post Castle Fans Still Bristle at How the Series Ended appeared first on TV Fanatic.

So the San Diego convention center is sadly silent. (If I could insert a crying emoji here, I would.)

Thankfully, the creative people behind the spectacle that is ComicCon would not let a virus kill our fun, so they moved it all online. Which left us with one very important question.

Who at this virtual ComicCon event was actually wearing pants?

As Alexi Hawley (Showrunner for The Rookie) said, we're living in an above the waist world.

Pants or no, what would ComicCon be without Nathan Fillion? The man has been attending this event since 2002. That's 18 years!

But this year was different. This year Mr. Fillion played along from his kitchen, along with a mystery pooch and a 1980's style mustache.

Did anyone else want to run up and try to rip that thing off his lip?

Good thing for Fillion that this was a virtual get-together.

We should all be grateful to Alexi Hawley for nixing the future of that 'stache. When asked if the mustache was approved for The Rookie Season 3, Hawley replied, "Not at all. Not a chance. I don't think America's ready for that." Thank goodness.

On the downside, the fact that Nathan is still sporting it likely means that the new season has yet to begin filming, and as no one asked the question, we just have to wait to hear about the start of season 3.

When asked about one of his all-time favorite roles, and the one that gets the most cosplay at ComicCon, Fillion had this to say about Firefly…

"Firefly has been my favorite job I've ever had until The Rookie." Fillion continued, "Firefly did a great deal for me. The Rookie is transformative, as far as my life. It's a slice of heaven."

And we love The Rookie here at TV Fanatic, but what ComicCon is ever complete without a few Firefly sightings?

More importantly, will the Firefly crew be showing up on The Rookie for season 3?

Gina Torres (Firefly's Zoe) popped up on the call, causing Fillion to adorably quip, "I haven't seen your face in too long."

When asked if she'd consider doing an episode of The Rookie, Torres said yes, but chastised Fillion… "You have to promise you'll actually be there because when I came onto Castle, you bailed!"

Apparently, Nathan coaxed her to do an episode of Castle, and then they had no scenes together. Ouch!

But Alexi promised that he'd write Torres into Nathan's story if she were to agree to appear in an episode. Hopefully, this will mean we'll see her as a guest star on the show in the near future.

Alan Tudyk joined the call from his car, parked in a grocery store parking lot, while his wife did the shopping. He and Fillion agreed that you never lose the Firefly fans. Once they're a Browncoat, they're locked in.

Tudyk was a fan favorite when he appeared on The Rookie Season 2 Episode 8 as Elroy Basso, the bioremediation specialist, aka a crime scene cleaner.

As Alan pointed out, "My character did not go to jail. He didn't die. He kind of had a little love interest budding." Nathan and Alexi both gave the nod to Elroy returning to The Rookie, and we couldn't agree more.

Moving on to the Castle crowd, Molly Quinn joined in to say how amazing her Castle experience was, especially as a young actor who grew up on set.

"Everyone helped me feel that it was okay not to know and that it was okay and encouraged to ask questions."

As Quinn has moved onto other projects, she reminisces, "The great thing about Castle is that it's what I'm always striving for now." She continued, "It's like getting to go to heaven first."

Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever showed up to comment on their guest stint on The Rookie Season 2 Episode 3.

Since there were some connection issues, it was a little challenging to make out, but I think Jon Huertas was trying to say that he wished he and Seamus had shared a storyline in that episode, and I couldn't agree more.

It was a waste of this talented duo to not have them playing partners, or better yet, partners in crime. These two really deserve a do-over with another guest appearance.

Nathan thanked Jon and Seamus for how much they taught him about doing exposition scenes. (Scenes where characters have to explain part of the story.) He also praised them for finding the fun and humor in the smallest moments that really help make a scene come together.

Another thing Fillion joked about from his Castle days with Huertas and Dever, "It's wonderful watching you guys suffer. It's one of my favorite things."

Mekia Cox (Det. Nyla Harper) was the only cast member in attendance from The Rookie and confirmed what a wonderful time the cast seems to be having on this show and what a positive experience it has been.

Now we just need The Rookie Season 3 to begin! You'll want to check out the actual ComicCon video down below to enjoy all of the funny and heartfelt moments.

Then check back into TVFanatic for the latest news on The Rookie Season 3.

And of course, hit that BIG, BLUE, SHOW COMMENTS BUTTON down below to let us know what you thought of this virtual ComicCon event. 

The post Virtual Comic-Con@Home with Nathan Fillion. Who Will Guest Star on The Rookie Season 3? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

There were rumors of infighting behind the scenes and fewer and fewer scenes filmed between the two leads.

Then actresses Stana Katic and Tamala Jones were shockingly fired weeks before Castle Season 8 ended!

Fans were so outraged that they began sending coffee sleeves to ABC with messages such as #SaveCaskett and #CancelCastle. Coffee was a symbol of love and affection between Rick and Kate throughout the series.

The show’s fans wanted the series canceled rather than have it go on without their favorite couple.

What other show has had its diehard shippers root for its demise rather than see the series-long love story end and its main couple left to bleed out on the floor?

The fans got their wish. 

While some mourned the cancellation, many were grateful that the show concluded with Caskett still intact. 

And Casket fans either loved or hated that tacked-on, 30-second happy ending. (Certainly not the end the show deserved, but better than the alternative.)

No matter which camp you fall into, every Castle fan can agree that this talented cast is worth following in their future endeavors. 

So read on to find out where you can see the Castle cast now.

Nathan Fillion – Rick Castle

Where hasn’t Nathan Fillion been since Castle?

He was literally a head on Santa Clarita Diet (you’ll have to see it to understand) and Jacques Snicket on Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events, as well as an octopus on Resident Alien.

Fillion also did several guest appearances as Ranier Shine (we giggle every time we say that name), the vain weatherman who dated Haley on Modern Family before she finally got back together with Dylan.

After several more guest appearances–Did you catch him as Sterling in Cars 3 or Master Kraja in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?–he finally found a home back with ABC on The Rookie.

Fillion plays John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department.

As The Rookie Season 5 concluded with an all-out attack on a division of the LAPD, we’re clamoring to see where the new season is headed. Unfortunately, with the writers and actors on strike, that may be a while. 

Stana Katic – Kate Beckett

After being abruptly dismissed from Castle, Stana Katic went on to do a series of movie roles, including the TV movie Sister Cities and independent films, Lost in Florence, The Possession of Hannah Grace, and Liberte: A Call to Spy.

But Katic's fans were most excited to see her as the star of the series Absentia on Prime Video. Katic plays Emily Byrne, an FBI agent who was abducted and presumed dead in absentia for six years!

Emily must fight to reclaim her career and family while hunting down the people who stole her life.

Most recently, Stana has taken some time off from acting since she and her husband, Kris Brkljač, welcomed their first child during the winter of 2021.

Tamala Jones – Lanie Parish

Fans were furious when Tamala Jones, who played Lanie Parish, the medical examiner on Castle, was let go as ABC was still considering whether or not they'd green-light Castle Season 9.

Perhaps the terminations of two of the show’s most popular female characters had something to do with the series ending with Castle Season 8.

Thankfully, fans can still see Tamala on many shows on TV!

Jones plays Gunnery Sergeant Miller on SEAL Team on Paramount+ and Katherine 'Kat' Miller on LA’s Finest. She's most recently popped up as Detective Sarina Washington on 9-1-1: Lone Star and Yvonne Thorsen on Nathan Fillion's series, The Rookie. 

Jon Huertas – Javier Esposito

Since playing Detective Javier Esposito, Huertas has had a few guest roles, including one on the final season of the CBS series Elementary, but he’s best known for his role as Miguel Rivas on the NBC mega-hit This Is Us.

Fans of This Is Us had been begging to learn more about Miguel and how his relationship with Rebecca grew from friends to romance. They got their wish with This Is Us Season 6 Episode 15.

And now we know that Jon will still be quite the cutie when he's Miguel's age!

Since then, Huertas has stepped behind the camera to direct several TV series episodes, including This Is Us, The Rookie, The Rookie: Feds, and The Company You Keep.

Seamus Dever – Kevin Ryan

Seamus Dever played Detective Kevin Ryan on Castle for all eight seasons. We watched Ryan go from being the newbie on Beckett's team to a seasoned detective, husband, and father of two.

Since the series ended, Dever has had guest roles on Legion, Take Two, MacGyver, and The Rookie.

Dever can also be seen in the recurring role of Trigon on DC Universe's series Titans and as Henry Visor in the movie Awaken and the Showtime Original five-part drama Waco: The Aftermath.

Susan Sullivan – Martha Rodgers

Susan Sullivan played bold, vivacious Martha Rodgers on Castle for all eight seasons, and we'll never forget the "Martha-isms" or her unsolicited advice!

You can still follow Susan on X (formerly Twitter) as she continues to offer her unsolicited advice.

After Susan said goodbye to Castle, she moved on to the role of Bonnie on FOX's Last Man Standing and opposite the late Alan Arkin on the Netflix hit series The Kominsky Method. 

Molly C. Quinn – Alexis Castle

Molly Quinn practically grew up before our eyes while playing Alexis Castle, Rick Castle's sometimes smart beyond her years, occasionally annoying beyond all reason, daughter.

Since moving on from Castle, Quinn has been seen on the ABC murder mystery The Fix, NBC's supernatural thriller The In-Between, and on Nathan Fillion's series The Rookie. 

Quinn also starred as Mary in the horror film Agnes and as Molly Ravager in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Penny Johnson Jerald – Victoria Gates

By the end of Castle Season 3, we never thought anyone could replace Captain Mongomery.

Despite our love for the 12th precinct's original captain, no one can deny that Penny Johnson Jerald made the role of Captain Victoria "Iron" Gates her own and won over fans in the process.

Luckily, we can now see her on the hit sci-fi series The Orville as Dr. Claire Finn on Hulu.

Ruben Santiago Hudson – Roy Montgomery

Captain Roy Montgomery may have been killed off during the Castle Season 3 finale, but fans never forgot his portrayer, Ruben Santiago Hudson.

If you haven't seen his multi-award-winning film Lackawanna Blues, you should check it out.

Since Castle, he's been seen on The Quad on BET, Billions on Showtime, The Family on ABC, and most recently on the CBS series East New York.

Now it's your turn, Castle fans!

Which of these actors have you been following since the series ended?

And which projects have been your favorites?

Hit that BIG, BLUE, SHOW COMMENTS button below, and let us know!

The post Castle Cast: Where Are They Now? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

In 2016, the show's leading lady, Stana Katic, was fired from the hit procedural, with ABC eyeing a retooled ninth season. 

However, the series was subsequently canceled. 

Katic has now opened up about the whole scenario, and it appears she has made peace with it. 

In an interview with Australia’s Daily Telegraph (via the Daily Mail), Katic said that the “entire experience” left her “confused” and “hurt,” but added, “Time has passed and I am so thankful to have been a part of that project [and] for it to have affected as many people as it did."

"People loved [Kate and Nathan Fillion’s Rick as a] couple and loved the story we told, loved all of those characters.”

While no official reason was given for Katic's ousting from the series, it seemed like it was a cost-cutting move to allow the series to continue at a cheaper cost. 

If you watch Castle online, you know Kate and Rick together was the most attractive aspect of the series, so it certainly begs some questions about who thought it would be a good idea to continue without the actress. 

Fortunately, fans did not need to witness a Casket-less ninth season. 

Katic, who now stars on Amazon's Absentia, said in a 2018 interview that she was at that point unsure about how those conversations about ousting her came to pass. 

“I’m actually still not clear on the thought process behind the way that it went down,” before adding, “It hurt and it was a harsh ending.”

Katic was quick to point out at the time that she loved working on the series. 

“I met so many beautiful people [on the show], and we collaborated on something really unique."

"It would be a disservice to those people, to the work that we did together, and to my work, which I feel contributed, in part, to the success of the show, to be anything but grateful.”

Katic was not the only actress out of the running for a spot on the then-potential ninth season: Tamala Jones was also not asked back. 

Yet, the rest of the cast was allegedly signed on and ready to go until ABC canceled it just days before the finale of Castle Season 8. 

Indeed, fans lashed out at ABC and producers when the decision was announced. Like I already mentioned, the success of the show was built on Kate and Rick. 

Their connection, and how they interacted to solve crimes, was the hook. 

What are your thoughts on this?

Hit the comments below. 

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The post Stana Katic Was “Hurt” and “Confused” After Being Fired from Castle appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sometimes they write characters quoting a film's most iconic lines.

Sometimes they borrow the whole plot. 

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – DC's Legends of Tomorrow 

Anachronisms can tear the timeline apart and create an homage to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

On DC's Legends of Tomorrow Season 3 Episode 4, the Legends travel back to the 80s. 

Why?

A young Ray Palmer and his adopted alien need rescuing from government agents. 

Amadeus – 30 Rock 

Amadeus tells the story of composer Salieri's resentment towards the more talented Mozart.

On 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 13 Jordan discovers he has a Mozart-like talent for creating pornographic videogames.

This leaves Frank as jealous as Salieri.

The homage to Amadeus is further cemented with a montage set to Mozart's Requiem: Lacrimosa.

The Seven Samurai/The Magnificant Seven – The Mandolorian 

It's no secret Akira Kurosawa's films and westerns were major influences on Star Wars.

The Mandalorian continues the tradition.

On The Mandalorian Season 1 Episode 4, Mando finds himself recruiting another fighter to help defend a farming village from raiders.

It's very reminscent of Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and its western remake, The Magnificant Seven.

Die Hard – Brooklyn Nine-Nine 

Die Hard is Jake Peralta's favorite movie, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine makes plenty of references to it. 

The show took its love for Die Hard to the next level on Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3 Episode 10. 

Jake, Gina, and Boyle find themselves trapped in a department store with a gang of criminals on Christmas Eve.

It's Jake's Die Hard fantasy come to life — except when Boyle mangled the catchphrase. 

Chinatown – Riverdale 

It was only a matter of time before Riverdale did an extended riff on Chinatown.

Riverdale Season 3 Episode 11 has Jughead entangled in an investigation involving water tampering and a woman named Mulwray.

There was only one way the episode could end.

Someone had to say, "Forget it, Jughead. It's Riverdale."

The Wizard of Oz – Scrubs 

On Scrubs Season 5 Episode 7, Sacred Heart is up to its ears with lions, tigers, and Wizard of Oz references, oh my!

Elliot needs brains. Turk needs a heart, and Carla needs courage.

As for J.D., he wants to go home and listen to Toto.

If only everyone would let him follow the yellow line to the exit.   

Jaws – Psych 

When sharks came to Santa Barbara on Psych Season 4 Episode 15, something unsurprising happened.

There were lots of references to Jaws.

This included an introductory shark attack at night and an expert coming to town.

This time, though, the human characters were the true threat. 

Community – Goodfellas 

As far back as Abed could remember, he wanted to be in a mobster movie.

He got the opportunity when Community spoofed Goodfellas on Community Season 1 Episode 20.

The Study Group found themselves living the gangster lifestyle thanks to controlling Greendale's supply of chicken fingers.

Sadly, the good times couldn't last forever.   

It's s Wonderful Life – One Tree Hill  

One Tree Hill Season 4 Episode 10 paid homage to It's a Wonderful Life.

Like George Bailey, Lucas was hovering between life and death and wondering what was the point of anything.

It took a spiritual advisor, his Uncle Keith no less, to show Lucas what the world would look like without his kindness. 

Seeing how miserable his family and friends were in an alternate reality gave Lucas the strength to keep on living. 

Schindler's List – Seinfeld 

Schindler's List is considered Steven Spielberg's masterpiece.

The making of it was emotionally exhausting, and each night after filming wrapped, Spielberg watched Seinfeld.

Knowing Spielberg was a fan of the show, Seinfeld, as only Seinfeld could, paid tribute to Schindler's List on Seinfeld Season 5 Episode 19.

In addition to the plot of Jerry and girlfriend making out during a showing of the film, the episode parodied one of its most remembered scenes. 

Rear Window – Castle 

Rear Window is the Alfred Hitchcock classic about a wheelchair-bound man investigating a murder outside his window.

Funny enough, the same thing happens to Rick on Castle Season 5 Episode 19.

It's almost too on the nose.

It was also the perfect story to use for celebrating Castle's 100th episode. 

Mary Poppins – The Simpsons 

Shary Bobbins — she's an original creation.

She's not at all like the titular character of Disney's Mary Poppins. 

On The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 13, Shary comes to Springfield to save the Simpsons.

However, singing songs about cleaning up can only reform the Simpsons for a short amount of time. 

Back to the Future – Once Upon a Time 

Once Upon a Time fans expect references to fairy tales and fantasy.

We don't expect a lot of references from Back to the Future.

Yet that's we got on Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 21 and Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 22.

Emma went back in time, and, like Marty McFly, she nearly prevented her parents from falling in love.  

12 Angry Men – Veronica Mars 

Some people go traveling for the holidays.

Veronica isn't so lucky.

Veronica Mars Season 2 Episode 10 has her spending her vacation doing an homage to 12 Angry Men.

Veronica finds herself on a jury that may never reach a unanimous verdict unless she can convince everyone to take a closer look at the evidence.  

Titanic – Supernatural 

Titanic won the Best Original Song Oscar for "My Heart Will Go On" as performed Celine Dion.

Balthazar hates the song.

On Supernatural Season 6 Episode 17, he went back in time to save the Titanic from sinking to prevent the song from exising.

Dean didn't Titanic was bad enough to justify messing around with history.

Coming from him, that's high praise for the film.  

The Devil Wears Prada – The Office 

Why is Michael throwing his coat and being rude on The Office Season 4 Episode 4? 

He was watching The Devil Wears Prada.

Consequently, the always susceptible Michael started acting like the overdemanding boss Meryl Streep played.

Now Pam has to get Armani on the phone.

Field of Dreams – NCIS 

DiNozzo loves baseball and movies.

What movie combining both loves does he quote from on NCIS Season 8 Episode 5 — Field of Dreams.

The episode gets more referential towards the end.

The scene of Ziva playing catch with Gibbs evokes Field of Dreams' heartwarming depiction of parents and children bonding over baseball. 

The Big Chill – Dawson's Creek 

The Big Chill is mostly remembered for the scene of its cast dancing in the kitchen to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” 

At the beginning of Dawson’s Creek Season 3 Episode 12, the teens said no one they knew would ever dance in a kitchen.

Then the Capeside gang spent a weekend pretending to be guests at the newly opened Potter B&B. 

By the end of the episode, they all were dancing in the kitchen. 

The Godfather – Modern Family 

Phil Dunphy has the face of a nice guy and the heart of the mobster. 

Modern Family Season 4 Episode 13 featured a montage very similar to the famous baptism montage from The Godfather.

The scene of Phil becoming Joe's godfather alternates with scenes Luke acting on Phil's orders to exact vengeance on the people causing problems for the Dunphys.  

To top off The Godfather comparisons, Phil shuts the door on Claire when she starts asking questions.  

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Over to you, TV Fanatics!

What are your favorite TV homages to Oscar-nominated movies?

Hit the comments below! 

The post TV’s Love Letters To Oscar-Nominated Movies appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The sophomore drama series recently staged a Castle reunion, and the series will be doing so once again. 

TV Line is reporting that Annie Wersching has been locked in to appear in an upcoming episode as Rosalind Dyer, a serial killer on death row who finds herself getting a little too close to Fillion's John Nolan. 

If you watch Castle online, you will recall Wersching from that series as Kelly Nieman, a prison doctor/plastic surgeon who grew obsessed with Jerry Tyson. 

Jerry carried out a string of heinous slayings throughout his turn on the series, and Kelly later became his accomplice and love interest. 

Related: The Rookie, Stumptown Among Full Season Orders at ABC

It was a gripping plot, but it remains to be seen what wicked things Wersching's new character will get up to on The Rookie Season 2. 

If you watch The Rookie online, you know that Nolan has found himself in some crazy situations, but somehow, this serial killer arc certainly sounds like a scary one for him. 

The Rookie already played host to a Castle reunion earlier this month, with Castle cast members Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas appearing in an episode as part of ABC's "Casts From the Past" week. 

Wersching is no stranger to the small screen. She is currently a series regular on Marvel's Runaways and has also appeared on the likes of The Vampire Diaries, Timeless, 24, and General Hospital. 

Related: Cloak and Dagger Canceled at Freeform

As for The Rookie's future at ABC, it's looking bright. The series snagged a full season order on Monday after putting up new numbers in its new Sunday perch. 

What are your thoughts on this casting news?

Are you onboard?

Hit the comments below. 

The Rookie airs Sundays at 10/9c. 

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Editor's Note: Our system got updated! Now, you'll be able to scroll through many articles at once.

That required a bit of a change to the comments, though, and now you have to click the blue "comments" bar at the bottom of an article to access them.

There are also two segments to comments now. You can either comment using Facebook or Disqus. Either way, you can SEE both types of comments.

We hope that will be more inclusive of our community at large and that the conversations will grow as a result.

The post The Rookie to Stage Another Castle Reunion This Season appeared first on TV Fanatic.

You know, the caring ones who look damn good in a uniform. Most of the TV cops on this list solve crimes, take down the bad guys, and keep their fictional towns and cities safe from danger. Not to mention, they'd jump in to protect you without hesitation.  

We wouldn't mind getting arrested by these men and women in uniform, just don't get on their bad side unless your goal is to end up in handcuffs.

Budd – Bodyguard

Budd, a veteran of the British Army, has years of training, is loyal to a fault, and would risk his own life to protect yours. Plus, he's not opposed to getting involved in a physical relationship with the person he's been tasked with protecting. 

Halstead – Chicago P.D

Who could resist Jay Halstead's emerald eyes? Jay serves and protects Chicago as part of the Intelligence Unit, but he also knows how to let loose and have a good time.

Sheriff Graham – Once Upon a Time

Sheriff Graham aka the Huntsman is the only line of defense for the small, magical town of Storybrooke. That is when he's not having an affair with the Mayor and Evil Queen, Regina. 

Detective Harlee Santos – Shades of Blue 

Santos, a single mother and police officer in New York City, is tough and has her wits about her. She becomes a criminal informant for the FBI and knows how to leverage her intel to get what she needs. 

Voight – Chicago PD

Voight reputation precede's him on the streets of Chicago. And though everything they say is true, Voight has a heart of gold and always does right by his loved ones. 

Olivia Benson – Law & Order

Benson serves as Lieutenant in Manhattan's Special Victims Unit and is an all-around badass. She's been on the job for years, so nothing gets past her. 

Clive Babineaux & Liv Moore – iZombie

In New Seattle, a world inhabited by humans and zombies alike, this duo has figured out the perfect strategy to solve the crime: Liv eats the brains and gets the visions while Clive does most of the heavy lifting.

They're the Bonnie & Clyde of police work. With Liv's multiple personalities, there's never a dull day. 

Hannah Wells – Designated Survivor

I truly hope there's a Hannah Wells working in our FBI/CSI because nothing, and I mean nothing, ever gets past her. She's the sharpest on the team and ahead of every curve, which is why she briefly became the right-hand woman for President Kirkman. 

Ruzek – Chicago PD

For the most part, Ruzek is a decent cop who is loyal to a fault. He's gotten himself mixed up in a few messy situations because he's covered for his team. It helps that he looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. 

Jake Peralta – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Despite his cocky and immature nature, Jake is a talented detective with a charming demeanor. His arrest track record is his pride and joy.

Toby – Pretty Little Liars

We watched Toby go from Spencer's high school boyfriend to Rosewood PD's finest. In a town where the cops cannot be trusted to get anything right, it's good to have one of your own on the inside. 

Kate Beckett – Castle

Kate's mother's death is the inspiration behind her becoming a cop. She kept her past a mystery but believed that there was more to the story than just a random murder.

All of her successes are attributed to her serious and professional nature, and she gets easily annoyed by Castle's childlike approach to solving cases. 

Maggie and Alex – Supergirl

Maggie and Alex were a super team when they were on the clock catching monsters and when they were off the clock just enjoying each other's company.

These two fierce females weren't afraid of anything.

John Nolan – The Rookie

John Nolan stands out because he's the oldest rookie at the LAPD.

Following his divorce, Nolan helps thwart a bank robbery and decides to pursue his passion of becoming a cop proving that with if you' re determined and persistent, it's never too late to follow your dreams. 

Max Evans – Roswell, New Mexico

Max's instinct is to protect the people of Roswell, but his role as a deputy also allows him to cover up any supernatural occurrences and keep his and his siblings' identities a secret. 

Noah – Good Girls

Technically, Noah should be a villain because he lied to Annie and went undercover as her boss at Fine & Frugal, but we can't stay mad at the FBI agent for doing his job and genuinely falling for her. 

Michael Cordero – Jane the Virgin

At home, Michael was Jane's silly boyfriend-turned-husband, but at work, Michael was dedicated to bringing down crime lord Sin Rostro. 

Stan – Good Girls

When it comes to a really good guy, Stan's your man. He's a good husband, a good father, and a decent cop.

Sure, he may have stolen some incriminating evidence to help his wife and is covering up her criminal doings, but his heart is in the right place and that's all that matters. 

FP Jones – Riverdale

FP is one of the best examples of turning your life around. He went from being the leader of the Southside Serpents to taking over as the mysterious town's Sheriff.

On the daily, he deals with everything from the Black Hood, the Gargoyle King, Edgar Evernever and The Farm, a Fizzle Rocks epidemic, and most importantly, Hiram Lodge. 

Jared and Mic – Manifest 

Jared and Mic are former lovers turned sort-of-friends who still harbor feelings for each other.

Yeah, it's complicated, but they make a great team that's committed to solving the mysteries surrounding Flight 828. 

Liz Forbes – The Vampire Diaries

Matt Donovan may try, but he will never live up to Mystic Fall's greatest sheriff, Liz Forbes.

Caroline's mother kept all the supernatural occurences at bay mainly because of her adorable relationship with the town's baddie, Damon Salvatore. 

Jo Martinez – Forever

If Olivia Benson and Kate Beckett had a baby, it would be Jo.

Jo puts up a tough front and is no-nonsense until she meets Dr. Henry Morgan who's abstract (and immortal) outlook on life makes her do a double-take. 

Atwater & Kim – Chicago PD

The former partners used to be one of the best parts of Chicago PD.

They were silly best friends who always had each other's backs and knew when to get serious. Not much has changed since they leveled up to Intelligence. 

Alex Parrish – Quantico

Parrish is the brightest recruit at Quantico, which is precisely why she wakes up and finds herself the main suspect in a terrorist plot.

Still, her quick wits allow her to figure out the real terrorist before another catastrophe strikes.

Lindsay – Chicago PD 

Lindsay comes from a toxic upbringing but found her way thanks to Intelligence Commander, who became like a father figure.

Her tough exterior is a perfect match for the dangerous streets of Chicago.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs – NCIS

The former Marine Corp works as an NCIS Special Agent in Washington, D.C.

He may be silent and reserved, but he's a damn good at his job and takes pride in it. 

Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles – Rizzoli and Isles

The super duo team up to solve the most gruesome of crimes in Boston.

Rizzoli is sarcastic, confident, and independent while Isles is an expert at her job and enjoys spouting random and oftentimes useless facts.

Which cops and detectives would you add to the list?

There's a plethora of shows to choose from! 

The post 27 Damn Fine Cops & Detectives Who Can Arrest Us Any Day appeared first on TV Fanatic.

First it was Jon Huertas, then Nathan Fillion.

And now former Castle alum Susan Sullivan has found a new role on TV this fall. 

According to TVLine, the actress is sticking with ABC and will be guest starring on The Real O’Neals as Vice Principal Murray’s mom. 

In a TV Fanatic exclusive interview with Susan Sullivan earlier this summer, she spoke about her role in the play Steel Magnolias, the end of Castle, and more.

Sullivan’s TV career is a lengthy one.

Not only did she spend eight seasons on Castle as Martha Rodgers, she also had regular roles on The Nine, sitcom Dharma & Greg, and the classic night-time sudser Falcon Crest. 

Susan’s not the only Castle veteran finding new work.

Her former TV son, Nathan Fillion will be taking on a new role as he visits Modern Family for a three episode story arc as weatherman Rainer Shine.

Castle leading lady Stana Katic will be seen in the romance/adventure movie The Rendezvous with former Code Black star Raza Jjaffrey.

Katic will also grace TV screens once again in the indie film Sister Cities which is scheduled to premiere on Lifetime on September 17th. 

And co-star Jon Huertas has headed to NBC for a recurring role on This Is Us which begins this fall. 

Castle season 8 was cancelled after lots of behind the scenes drama with ABC Studios decided not to ask both Stana Katic and Tamala Jones back if the show was picked up for a season 9.

While nothing will ever bring back the old magic, we're really excited to see all of the stars we enjoyed so much moving on to new and exciting roles.

Will their new roles make you consider taking up a new program, maybe make the jump into comedies for a change of pace?

Let us know your thoughts and keep an eye on TV Fanatic for all the latest casting news as we count down to the new fall season!

The Real O’Neals Season 2 premieres on Tuesday, October 11th. 

And if you're feeling nostalgic, you can always watch Castle online for a walk down memory lane!

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The post Susan Sullivan Heads to The Real O’Neals appeared first on TV Fanatic.