Is Gayle King Leaving CBS Mornings After 13 Years? Here’s the Truth

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It seems Gayle Kingisn’t signing off just yet.

After several reports suggested that the host of CBS Mornings (previously CBS This Morning) would be stepping down next year, CBS News officially denied the rumors.

Okay, so I’m freaking out because of all the rumors, but CBS just told People magazine that they haven’t even started talking to Gayle about her contract, which isn’t up until May 2026! Can you believe it? They said she’s incredibly important to them and they will talk to her about what’s next, but like, seriously? Not even a conversation yet? I’m obsessed with Gayle, and the thought of her leaving is terrifying, but it sounds like things are okay… for now. I just need reassurance, you know?

Just before this announcement, Paramount Global, the company that owns CBS News, revealed a restructuring of the news organization, which included ending a streaming show linked to CBS Mornings. Early reports suggested Gayle King might move into a different role at CBS News, but it now appears she will remain as an anchor on the morning show.

Since joining CBS This Morning in January 2012, the 70-year-old has worked alongside Charlie Rose, Norah O’Donnell, and Anthony Mason. She currently co-anchors the show with Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson.

Throughout her career, Gayle King has interviewed many prominent figures, including President and Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. However, one of her most well-known interviews was with R. Kelly in 2019, before his conviction on federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. During the interview, Kelly became visibly agitated, while King remained composed, calmly repeating his first name, “Robert.”

In a 2019 interview with People magazine, Gayle explained that things changed very rapidly. She said it went ‘from 0 to 200’ – meaning it quickly became extreme – and that it’s hard to recognize when you’re in the middle of it. While she noticed he was starting to get upset, she didn’t anticipate how far it would go.

She explained that when he suddenly became furious – jumping up, yelling, and even spitting – she realized she couldn’t react with anger herself. She felt that responding in the same way would have escalated the situation and made things worse for both of them.

Aside from her high-profile interviews, Gayle truly loves the chance to do what she’s always been passionate about: building connections with others.

I’ve always been naturally curious, and it actually goes way back! I remember hearing a story about when I was in fourth grade. Apparently, my teacher wrote a letter to my parents saying I was bright, but also that I talked too much and was a bit disruptive in class. She felt she needed to let them know, and she did! It’s funny to think about now, but it really shows I’ve always had a lot to say.

Gayle recalls growing up in a strict household where getting in trouble at school meant serious consequences, but she now views that experience as a positive one.

“It’s ironic to me that I make my living talking,” she concluded. “I really like people.”

While it seems Gayle is not leaving CBS Mornings, read on to see stars who have left their hit shows. 

Fans were surprised in 2025 to learn that Mehcad Brooks was leaving his role on the NBC crime drama before the start of its twenty-fifth season.

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

Hey everyone, I’m hearing that Jax Taylor won’t be back for season three of The Valley. It seems like a lot of viewers expressed concerns about his actions during the last season, and he’s decided to step away. It’s always interesting to see how reality TV stars navigate public feedback, and it looks like Jax is taking some time to reassess.

In July 2025, the Bravo star, who is going through a difficult divorce with Brittany Cartwright, explained that he’s currently prioritizing getting sober, improving his mental health, and being a good coparent. He believes this time is essential for his personal growth, particularly so he can 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 a short period of time for each of them.

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 long-running soap opera in the summer of 2025 after seven years as Sasha Gilmore. 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.

The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in what she called a truly special season of the show. She also thanked viewers for watching, supporting the first season, and sharing their personal experiences with her.

Even though fans might have expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in April 2025 closely mirrored the events of The Last of Us Part II, the video game the second season of The Last of Us is based on – the way his character died was still shocking.

Pascal, known for dying in roles on shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly that he’s become accustomed to dying onscreen, even enjoying it.

Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Captain Bobby Nash on the drama 9-1-1 with an episode airing in April 2025.

According to a statement given to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to make a powerful sacrifice, reflecting the bravery of real-life first responders. The show’s creator, Krause, explained that Bobby’s storyline is meant to honor those who risk their lives to save others.

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

The host of the Giggly Squad podcast announced on Instagram that after seven summers, she’s moving on. She expressed gratitude for the experiences, the community, and the opportunities she’s had, but feels it’s time to end this part of her journey, acknowledging that even good things eventually come to a close.

The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to come out in April 2025. She has confirmed she won’t be returning.

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 a fantastic 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 confirmed that Reneé Rapp is leaving. She shared on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour and wish her well.

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.

In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after playing the character for 19 years.

Pompeo shared on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she felt the need to try new things. She explained that at 53, her mind felt a bit scattered, and she couldn’t keep doing the same things, like The New York Times crossword, every day. Despite this, she’s already made a guest appearance in May and continues to narrate the series.

Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman and Batman, announced he’s leaving the Netflix series after its third season. Liam Hemsworth will take over the role of Geralt, starting with season four and likely continuing in future seasons.

As a huge fan of Henry Cavill as Geralt, it was heartbreaking to read his post from October 2022. He shared that his time playing the Witcher – all the monsters he fought and adventures he had – was coming to an end. He announced he wouldn’t be returning for Season 4, that he was putting down his medallion and swords for good.

Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing his popular character, Detective Jay Halstead, for 10 seasons.

Everyone involved with the show has poured their heart and soul into making each week’s episode, and it’s been a wonderful experience,” said Jesse Soffer in a statement following his last episode on October 5th. “I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead.

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, meaning she would no longer be playing her role as a doctor.

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 experience a great honor and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew.

Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Actress Megan Boone decided to leave The Blacklist after season eight, and her character was killed off before she could read a crucial letter revealing everything. Boone described her time on the show as “a dream” in a 2021 Instagram post, marking the end of Liz’s story.

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 crossover 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, Rose announced her departure from the series just two days after the first season concluded in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, portraying a new character, Ryan Wilder, who becomes 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 both the Cloud 9 store needed a new manager and the series lost a central character. Although the pandemic caused delays, she returned for the first couple of episodes of season six. When season six became the show’s last, she came back one final time for the series finale to give her characters, Amy and Jonah (Ben Feldman), a satisfying conclusion.

In the final episode of season four of the Syfy series The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot (Hale Appleman) but died in the process. Although the show often 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 we’ll be leaving after levels one through seven,” she wrote.

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. Producers wanted her to come back, and when her show Whiskey Cavalier on ABC was canceled, she did. Cohan returned to The Walking Dead in the 16th episode of season ten, which aired in October 2020.

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

I was so thrilled when Nicollette Sheridan joined the cast as Alexis Carrington – she absolutely was Alexis! I loved seeing her in season one, and she really became a core part of the show as a series regular in season two. It was sad to hear she decided to leave before season three in 2019, but she explained she needed to be with her mother, who wasn’t well, and I completely understood. Family always comes first.

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

The show Lethal Weapon on Fox has seen its share of cast changes. Clayne Crawford was let go after season two, 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, explaining that as a 58-year-old with diabetes, the demanding 16-hour workdays were too much. He jokingly referenced his character’s line, saying, ‘Murtaugh said, ‘too old for this.’

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

Ian Gallagher, played by Cameron Monaghan, ended up in jail on the show Shameless. While Monaghan decided to move on to other work after nine seasons, he surprisingly agreed to return for seasons 10 and 11, appearing in the show’s final season in December 2020.

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2025-10-31 06:18