Sullivan’s Crossing’s Chad Michael Murray Speaks Out on Major Costar’s Exit
The exit of a key actor from Sullivan’s Crossing has left fans with questions, and Chad Michael Murray has addressed how the show moves forward without a foundational character. The actor in question won’t feature in Season 4, but the influence of his character is set to live on.
Chad Michael Murray discusses Scott Patterson’s departure from Sullivan’s Crossing
When news broke that Scott Patterson, who played Harry “Sully” Sullivan, would not return for Season 4 of the Canadian drama, viewers braced for change. The season premiere addresses the absence head-on: Sully has traveled to Ireland to be with Helen, leaving his daughter Maggie to step into running the Crossing while also opening her own general practice.
For Chad Michael Murray, who plays Cal, navigating a major cast departure isn’t new territory. Having experienced similar shifts throughout his career, he approaches the transition with practicality. “It does happen. And there are various, different things that transpire. You just never know. And so it’s one of those situations where you go, OK, well, just look at the show, what is the show? Where does it sit? And how do you hold it up and keep it true to itself? And that’s all on the text and the storytelling,” Murray said.
He believes Sullivan’s Crossing has successfully honored its identity despite the change. “There’s no question in my mind that we did that. The show stays totally true to itself, and Sully is still a big part of it. He still exists in this world, and there’s still that relationship. And he built the Crossing, so it’s always going to be there, and that’s kind of the foundation that the show is built on (via Yahoo Canada).”
As Murray noted, one way forward is to introduce new characters with fresh stories. Liam (Marcus Rosner), who showed up at the end of Season 3, revealing he’s Maggie’s husband, remains at the Crossing despite Maggie believing she had the marriage annulled. Jonathan Silverman, known for Weekend at Bernie’s, also joins the cast this season as a disgruntled guest at the Crossing.
‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Star Morgan Kohan Breaks Silence After Onscreen Dad Scott Patterson’s Exit
Sullivan’s Crossing star Morgan Kohan broke her silence after her onscreen dad Scott Patterson‘s shocking exit from the show.
“[My character Maggie’s] whole world at the beginning of the [fourth] season is not what she anticipated,” Kohan, 32, told Yahoo Canada on Sunday, March 22.
Kohan teased a shakeup for Maggie, adding, “She’s just kind of settled in with Cal — and then it’s really thrust on her that now, you’re taking over the Crossing, and you are fully involved, while the rest of your life is kind of thrown up in the air again.”
The actress pointed out that “part of her support system is now gone too” while referring to Maggie’s dad, Sully, being out of the picture when the new season begins.
Us Weekly recently broke the news earlier this month that Patterson, 67, wouldn’t be reprising his role on the series.
“Season 3 of Sullivan’s Crossing ended with Sully leaving for Ireland, beginning a new chapter in his life. Season 4 picks up the next day, with Sully still overseas,” Sullivan’s Crossing executive producer and showrunner Roma Roth exclusively told Us. “While he isn’t physically present in this season, the character remains an important part of the world with the potential to be included in future seasons should that align with the ongoing creative.”
Patterson later hinted at what caused his surprising departure, writing via Instagram, “The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”
Patterson clarified it wasn’t his choice to leave Sullivan’s Crossing.
“It’s unfortunate that it is now being implied that they moved on from me/Sully when the fact is the complete opposite, and those who sadly already have spoken out are also fully aware of this fact, and yet chose to say otherwise,” he continued. “I was not intending to make any statement but the fans of the books and the show deserve to know the truth as I have always been respectful of those who support this industry by watching and loving these characters we are so dang lucky and blessed to portray and bring to life.”
Kohan isn’t the only cast member who has subtly addressed the cast change. Chad Michael Murray, who plays Kohan’s love interest on the show, weighed in as well.
“There are various, different things that transpire. You just never know,” Murray, 44, said of Patterson’s recent departure in an interview with Yahoo Canada. “And so it’s one of those situations where you go, ‘OK well, just look at the show, what is the show? Where does it sit? And how do you hold it up and keep it true to itself?’ And that’s all on the text and the storytelling.”
Murray reassured viewers that Sully’s presence was still felt.
“There’s no question in my mind that we did that. The show stays totally true to itself, and Sully is still a big part of it,” he continued. “He still exists in this world, and there’s still that relationship. And he built the Crossing, so it’s always going to be there, and that’s kind of the foundation that the show is built on.”
Sullivan’s Crossing is currently streaming on Netflix. Season 4 premieres on The CW April 20.
