The Morning Show Loses Major Character During Season 4

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for Season 4 Episode 6 of The Morning Show.

Stella Bak is signing off The Morning Show.

The popular character, played by Greta Lee and first appearing in season two, has left the show. Her last episode aired on October 22nd, as part of season four’s sixth episode.

In this episode, Stella’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence causes problems when her secret relationship with Miles (Aaron Pierre)—who is married to her new boss, Marion Cotillard—is revealed during a work presentation due to a tech malfunction. Shaken by the exposure, Stella abruptly leaves the media company she worked to restore and rushes to the airport, hoping to find Miles.

Now on her own, Stella boards a plane, ready to face an unknown future.

And yes, this is the last audiences will see of Stella, Greta herself confirmed.

The Tron: Ares actress told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview that she was surprised, but accepted that this marks the end of her character’s journey. She said she’s experiencing a lot of complex emotions about it.

It feels strange to say goodbye to this character after spending so much time with her. I’ve known for a while that this was how her story would end, and I didn’t want to reveal it before the time was right.

Saying goodbye was both sad and necessary for Greta, who has two sons with her husband, Russ Armstrong. Her growing success made it increasingly hard to schedule time for filming the Apple TV+ show.

I really would have liked to have continued with the show forever,” the 42-year-old explained. “This show feels like family to me. I actually moved to Los Angeles a few years ago specifically for it, and I even had my children while working on it – so many life events happened during that time. Eventually, though, it just became impossible to keep going.

She explained that being on the show required a huge time commitment, and it became increasingly difficult to manage her schedule and dedicate the necessary resources. Ultimately, she felt this decision was unavoidable.

While the ending isn’t easy for her character, Greta is grateful for the way her story concludes.

She explained that she never wanted to create an unrealistic happy ending just to satisfy audiences. Throughout the series, Stella’s character has always faced challenges due to her circumstances, and that includes dealing with a changing world and figuring out what she truly wants in life and her career.

Greta predicted Stella would likely end up at the tiki bar for a few weeks after her flight. She believes Stella’s strong work ethic and fighting spirit will kick in, and she expressed her admiration for Stella, describing her as incredibly intelligent and a visionary who always sees the larger context.

After all, a character’s story doesn’t end on the screen.

Greta shared that she likes to imagine there are many people like Stella, quietly planning their return and focused on the future. She believes Stella is actively making plans and will definitely reappear in some form.

For more stars who shocked audiences with their exits, read on.

Fans were surprised in 2025 when Mehcad Brooks announced he was leaving the NBC crime show before its 25th season.

Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

Jax Taylor has stated he won’t be participating in season three of The Valley following concerns raised by viewers about his actions during the previous season.

In July 2025, the Bravo star—currently going through a difficult divorce with Brittany Cartwright—explained that his priorities are getting sober, improving his mental health, and being a good coparent. He feels this time is essential for personal growth, particularly to be the best father to their son, Cruz.

Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the news coming within just a few days of each other.

Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.

Following the departures of Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim from Saturday Night Live, two more popular cast members, Gardner and Nwodim, announced they wouldn’t be back for the show’s 51st season. Gardner had been with the show for eight seasons, and Nwodim for seven.

Sofia Mattsson finished her role on the soap opera after seven years of playing Sasha Gilmore in the summer of 2025. Her character moved to Paris as part of the storyline.

Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, has left the show after its successful first season.

Oh my gosh, I was so thrilled to play Dr. Heather Collins this season! It was honestly a dream come true to be part of something so amazing. And seriously, thank you to everyone who watched and loved Season 1 – hearing your reactions and reading your stories meant the world to me!

Even though fans likely expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in April 2025 mirrored events from The Last of Us Part II, the video game the second season of The Last of Us is based on – the shocking and violent way his character died still came as a surprise.

Pascal, known for also being killed off in shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t too upset about his character’s fate. He joked to Entertainment Weekly, “I get killed a lot. I actually enjoy it!”

Okay, so it killed me, but Peter Krause finished playing Captain Bobby Nash on 9-1-1! He called it “one wild adventure,” which, honestly, it WAS! The very last episode aired in April 2025, and it was so hard saying goodbye to him as that character. I’m still not over it, honestly. He was Bobby Nash!

According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to be a selfless hero. Creator Dick Wolf explained that first responders put themselves in danger every day to save others, and Bobby Nash’s storyline is meant to pay tribute to their bravery.

The decision to kill off a popular, yet troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, showrunner Tim Minear told Variety. He explained that after eight seasons, it was necessary for the show to have real consequences in future storylines, and that meant someone had to die.

Summer just got a little less fun.

In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo revealed she was leaving the Bravo series after being on the show for seven seasons.

After sharing seven summers with you all, I’m so thankful for the fun memories, the supportive community, and all the amazing experiences this journey has given me,” the Giggly Squad podcast host announced on Instagram. “But it’s time to move on to new things – even though saying goodbye is hard.”

The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to release in April 2025.

In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. She shared photos with her former co-stars and described her time on the show as an amazing experience full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she will no longer be part of the show.

She shared on social media in July 2023 that the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and connected her with many of her closest friends. She added that after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.

Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also announced that Renée Rapp was leaving. She shared on Instagram that they were sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s successful music career and upcoming tour. Kaling expressed a lot of love for Rapp in her post.

After over a year of speculation, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he won’t be back for the final season of the popular Paramount drama, following his departure after four and a half seasons.

Okay, so it killed me, honestly, but February 2023 was the last time I saw Meredith Grey – Ellen Pompeo – as a main character on Grey’s Anatomy. After nineteen years, she hung up her scrubs! It felt like saying goodbye to a friend, I’m not gonna lie.

Pompeo said on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she needed to try new things. ‘I’m 53, and my brain feels a little fried,’ she explained. ‘I need to challenge myself. You can’t just do the same thing, like The New York Times crossword, every day.’ Despite saying this, she’s already been back for a guest appearance in May and continues to narrate the series.

Okay, so big news in the fantasy world! Henry Cavill, who we all know as Superman and starred in The Witcher, has decided to move on after season three. It’s sad to see him go, but the good news is Liam Hemsworth will be taking over as Geralt starting with season four. It sounds like he’ll be playing the character for the long haul, which is exciting for fans of the show!

In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that his time playing Geralt of Rivia was coming to an end. He said he would be stepping away from the role for Season 4, putting down his Witcher medallion and swords.

Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing Detective Jay Halstead for ten seasons.

Everyone involved with the show put a lot of heart and effort into making each episode, and I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead,” Soffer said after appearing in the Oct. 5 episode.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

In August 2021, Emily VanCamp left the TV show The Resident on Fox, marking the end of her role as a doctor on the series.

Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021, calling the role a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew, with whom she enjoyed working.

I’m still reeling from it, honestly. Liz Keen, gone! And just when she was so close to finally understanding who Red really was! Megan Boone decided to leave The Blacklist after eight seasons, and they just… killed her off? Before she could even read the letter?! It’s devastating. She posted on Instagram about how playing Liz was ‘a dream,’ which is lovely, but it doesn’t make the ending any less heartbreaking. We were all so invested in finding out the truth with her, and now… it’ll never happen. I’m still not over it.

The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Rege-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. Fans were disappointed when it was announced he wouldn’t be returning in 2021.

He told Vanity Fair that he simply did the work he’d agreed to, and then took on additional assignments. He admitted he wished there was a more exciting story behind it all.

Ruby Rose first appeared as Batwoman (Kate Kane) in a 2018 Arrowverse event and then led the CW’s Batwoman series for one season. This was a landmark moment, as she became the first openly lesbian superhero to star in her own show. However, she announced her departure from the series just two days after the first season ended in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, playing a new character named Ryan Wilder who would become the new Batwoman.

Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant Cloud 9 lost its manager and the show lost a main character. Because of the pandemic, she made a brief appearance in the first two episodes of season six. When season six became the show’s last, she returned for the final episode to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion to their story.

In the final episode of season four of the Syfy show The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot (played by Hale Appleman), but died in the process. Although the show regularly features character deaths – it is called The Magicians – Ralph did not reprise his role in the fifth and final season.

Ahead of the final season, Arrow‘s Emily Bett Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.

Felicity and I are very close, but after completing grades one through seven, we’ll be leaving.

She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show’s 2020 series finale.

Lauren Cohan initially left The Walking Dead in 2018 after difficult contract talks. While she appeared in a few episodes of season nine, her character, Maggie Greene, disappeared after a time jump of six years. Producers wanted her to come back, and when her short-running TV show Whiskey Cavalier was cancelled, she did. Cohan returned to The Walking Dead in October 2020, appearing in the 16th episode of season ten.

Following Danai Gurira’s co-star Cohan and Andrew Lincoln’s departures from the show, Gurira also left the zombie series. She joined the AMC show in its third season as Michonne, a skilled fighter with a katana, and her final episode aired in March 2020.

Nicollette Sheridan played the famous Alexis Carrington in season one and became a main cast member in season two. In 2019, she decided to leave the CW’s revival of the show before season three to care for her sick mother.

George Eads left the CBS show in 2019, during its third season. He stated he wanted to focus more on his family at that time.

The show Lethal Weapon has seen its share of cast changes. After season two, Clayne Crawford was let go, and his co-star Damon Wayans announced he would leave after the show’s third season, which consisted of 13 episodes. Wayans stated in October 2018 that he planned to quit in December after filming was completed, citing his age and health concerns. He joked that his character, Murtaugh, felt he was ‘too old for this.’

Luckily, the producers didn’t have to worry about finding a replacement because the show ended after just three seasons.

As a longtime observer of the entertainment industry, I always find it fascinating when actors’ real-life choices mirror their characters’ storylines. That was definitely the case with Cameron Monaghan, who plays Ian Gallagher on Shameless. When he initially decided to move on after season nine, his character was actually written into jail! But in a surprising turn, Cameron ultimately decided to return for seasons ten and eleven, seeing the show through to its very end in December 2020. It just goes to show you never know what to expect, even for the people on the screen!

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2025-10-22 15:49