EXCLUSIVE: Sullivan’s Crossing fans are in for a shock when they tune in for the upcoming fourth season of the popular Canadian series — one of its three main stars, Scott Patterson, will not be in it. That explains why the Gilmore Girls alum was not in the recently released key art, trailer and credits for Season 4 of the romantic drama, which debuts on the CW on April 20 and will subsequently be headed to Netflix in the U.S. where the series’ first three seasons have done very well.
Patterson, who plays the eponymous Sully on Sullivan’s Crossing, is clearing the air on the circumstances of his exit with a statement to fans, stressing that this was his decision.
“I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him,” he said in a statement, which you can read in full below. “The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”
Patterson felt compelled to speak up after Sullivan’s Crossing executive producer/showrunner Roma Roth issued a statement to Us Weekly yesterday, in which she said, “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.”
On the show, Sully’s departure for Ireland was portrayed as a trip to support new girlfriend Helen Culver (Kate Vernon), whose novel was being adapted for TV there, not a permanent move.
“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,” Roth added.
Patterson had an issue with his exit being portrayed as a creative decision by the show.
“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 said.
Deadline has been following the situation for several months. According to sources, Patterson, concerned with the direction of his character, asked to be released from his contract after Season 3, a wish that was granted. After Deadline reached out to the producers of the show from Bell Media in late January and was told that “there are no updates to share currently regarding Scott’s status on the series,” I hear Patterson was approached by Roth about a possible Season 5 return, should the show get renewed. A formal offer never came, with Roth instead blindsiding the actor by issuing the statement yesterday.
“I really enjoyed Sully and fought for his voice and his character. The richness and depth of Sully, whom the fans of the books all know and love, is so multi-layered and interesting,” Patterson said. “The fans deserved better than to think the embodiment of this character, me, would just disrespect not only the show, but them. In the end, we’re all fans of these characters and stories, and I’ll always support and defend the truth.”
The Season 4 materials portray the new season as a Chad Michael Murray-Morgan Kohan two-hander, with Sully’s name even stripped from the name of the Sullivan’s Crossing campground in the official logline below. (It remains in the title of the series, leaving fans to grapple both with a show named after a character that is no longer there and losing a very popular cast member.) That is in contrast with the first three seasons whose key art featured Murray, Kohan and Patterson.
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Per the CW, in the new installment, Maggie Sullivan’s (Kohan) life at the Crossing is finally taking shape having decided on a new direction for her career and a renewed commitment to Cal (Murray). That is, until Maggie’s ex-husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), arrives with a shocking revelation which only upends Maggie’s life once again and causes Cal to question whether Maggie will ever truly be able to leave her past behind.
On its original Canadian network, CTV, Season 4 of Sullivan’s Crossing premieres March 22.
Here is Patterson’s full statement:
Every actor knows what it’s like to fall in love with a character and a story. I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him.
The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.
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.
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.
I really enjoyed Sully and fought for his voice and his character. The richness and depth of Sully, whom the fans of the books all know and love, is so multi-layered and interesting.
The fans deserved better than to think the embodiment of this character, me, would just disrespect not only the show, but them. In the end, we’re all fans of these characters and stories, and I’ll always support and defend the truth.
