Kurt Sutter has confirmed he is not involved with Legends, an upcoming FX spinoff of Sons of Anarchy created by star Charlie Hunnam.
The showrunner explained why he does not feel excluded from the project and offered his full blessing to the new series, which will also star his wife Katey Sagal.
Addressing fans in an Aug. 20 video recorded in a sauna, Sutter joked about the hell-like ambience of the location before clarifying his position. "I just want to say my piece. I’m not involved with Legends at all - nor should I be," Sutter said.
The 66-year-old creator stressed that the project operates independently of the original narrative. "It has nothing to do with the characters I created, or the mythology," Sutter explained. "It’s really about the show and the legacy of the show, and, quite frankly, there are thousands of people who are responsible for that legacy."
Developed by Hunnam alongside Glee executive producer Jonathan Groff, Legends is framed as a meta thriller. Original Sons of Anarchy cast members will portray fictionalized versions of themselves attending a fan convention before becoming entangled in dangerous events echoing their former television roles.
Sutter revealed that Hunnam approached him personally during the pitch process to request his blessing, noting that the intellectual property could not be invoked directly due to legal restrictions. Sutter confirmed there is no animosity between him, Hunnam, or FX Networks chairman John Landgraf.
"I gave Charlie my full blessing. I wish nothing but the best for him in this project," Sutter shared. "My wife is in the project. I have nothing but love for John Landgraf and the folks at FX who have been so good to me, so generous. So it has my full-blown 'Watch this motherf--ker.'"
Sutter added that he reviewed the material himself. "I’ve taken a peek at the script that was perhaps just lying on my wife’s knitting table, and it’s really so well done," he said. "I love Charlie to death, and I think [fans] will have mad love for this project as well."
The spinoff follows the 2014 finale of Sons of Anarchy after seven seasons. Original SAMCRO members including Kim Coates and Ron Perlman are set to return alongside Sagal for the upcoming project.
Major Primetime TV Departures
Sutter is not the only high-profile figure navigating a major television transition. In Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, the spinoff of Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena Gomez's character Alex Russo reunited with teen love Mason Greyback, played by Gregg Sulkin, only for a devastating twist to unfold. Greyback revealed his character died during an August 2026 episode, appearing as a ghost to address Alex's future.
"You have a whole other life, Alex," Greyback told her. "You got married. You have a beautiful daughter. And she needs you. That’s the life that you’re meant to live. You have to go back."
Over on NBC, Joe Miñoso is leaving Chicago Fire during its upcoming 15th season after portraying firefighter Joe Cruz since the drama debuted in 2012. On HBO's House of the Dragon, Ser Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel, was killed in the Riverlands during a July 26, 2026 episode of the Game of Thrones spinoff.
Meanwhile, LaRoyce Hawkins will exit Chicago P.D. after 13 seasons as Officer Kevin Atwater, a role he has held since 2014. Hawkins will return for several episodes at the start of season 14 later this year to conclude his storyline. Reid Scott, the Veep alum who has played Detective Vincent Riley for three seasons, will exit NBC's Law & Order during its 26th season in fall 2026. Mehcad Brooks also previously departed Law & Order ahead of season 25 in 2025, after playing Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons following his 2022 arrival.
Procedural and Crime Series Exits
On Paramount+, the season 19 finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution on July 23 confirmed Zach Gilford will not return for season 20. His character, Elias Voit, was imprisoned for a murder he took the blame for. "It was hard to say goodbye," Gilford told Us Weekly. "It definitely was one of my favorite characters I’ve ever gotten to play and partially because what a gift. Every season I got to do a different side of this character. It wasn’t like I was just doing the same thing every year."
On NBC's crime procedural Chicago P.D., original cast member Jesse Lee Soffer turned in his badge in 2022, departing as Detective Jay Halstead after 10 seasons. "To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show," Soffer said in a statement following his Oct. 5 episode exit. "I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead."
CBS procedural NCIS said goodbye to Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, during a March 2026 episode. Marking 18 years since his season five debut, Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent during the 500th episode and welcomed to heaven by late Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard, played by Adam Campbell.
ABC's The Rookie saw Bridget Regan exit as corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens in an April 2026 episode after four seasons. Regan recounted to TV Insider that her character had "escaped multiple assassinations and prison time and being thrown in a woodchipper" before her death. "I wasn’t surprised," Regan said. "I thought, 'Fair enough.' She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude."
Medical Dramas and Reality Television Exits
Long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy is bidding farewell to Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd, who played Dr. Teddy Altman and Dr. Owen Hunt for nearly 20 years. Their final appearances on the ABC series are set for the season 22 finale on May 7, 2026. Previously, Ellen Pompeo scrubbed in for the last time as a series regular in February 2023 after 19 years as Meredith Grey, though she returned for a May guest appearance and continues to narrate.
"I gotta mix it up a little bit," Pompeo explained on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022. "I'm 53, my brain is like scrambled eggs. I gotta do something new. You can't do The New York Times crossword puzzle every single day."
On HBO Max's The Pitt, Supriya Ganesh will not return as Dr. Samira Mohan for season three, Variety reported in April, with her character planning a residency at another medical center. Co-star Tracy Ifeachor left after season one as Dr. Heather Collins, writing on Instagram on July 10: "It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece. Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me."
Reality television has seen several key departures. On Bravo's Summer House, Amanda Batula and West Wilson both exited ahead of season 11 following a secret love affair after season 10. Wilson walked away in June 2026, while Batula's exit followed days later. Co-star Paige DeSorbo previously announced her exit in June 2025 after seven seasons, sharing on Instagram: "You’ve seen me grow up over these last 7 summers. I’ll always be grateful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me. But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it’s time for this chapter to close."
On Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Whitney Leavitt announced season five will be her last following her run on Dancing With the Stars and a starring role in Chicago on Broadway. On Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York City, Jenna Lyons confirmed Nov. 21 she will not return for season 16 after joining in 2022. "The rumors …..Are true," the former J. Crew Creative Director posted on Instagram, explaining that after joining as a friend of, "I have made the difficult decision not return to the show. I would be the oldest and only openly gay woman on the show and feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic to emerge."
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause announced her departure in November after nine seasons on Netflix, stating on social media: "I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially. I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health." Jax Taylor also departed Bravo's The Valley ahead of season three in July 2025 amid a divorce from Brittany Cartwright, writing: "Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself - especially for our son, Cruz."
Streaming Classics and Network Hits
In sketch comedy, NBC's Saturday Night Live lost five cast members ahead of season 51. Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker left after three seasons, while Emil Wakim departed after one season. Weeks later, longtime cast members Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim confirmed their departures after eight and seven seasons, respectively.
On Netflix's Emily in Paris, French actress Camille Razat confirmed on April 23, 2025, that she will not return for season five, writing on Instagram: "After an incredible journey, I’ve made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris. It has been a truly wonderful experience, one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories." On Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls, Reneé Rapp exited her role as Leighton Murray ahead of season three. Rapp wrote in July 2023: "College Girls moved me out to LA and introduced me to some of my favorite people. 2 and a half years later - it's given me y'all and this community." Co-creator Mindy Kaling added on Instagram Stories: "We love @reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye to Leighton Murray! We can't wait to see our friend on tour!!"
In dramatic roles, Pedro Pascal's character Joel Miller was impaled in an April 2025 episode of HBO's The Last of Us season two, mirroring the 2020 game The Last of Us Part II. Pascal, who also suffered onscreen deaths in Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, joked to Entertainment Weekly: "I get killed a lot. I like to die." On ABC's 9-1-1, Peter Krause exited as LAFD Captain Bobby Nash in an April 2025 episode. Krause wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: "Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice, and he was built for this. First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them." Showrunner Tim Minear told Variety: "but after eight years, it just felt like, if we have any hope of creating stories going forward that have actual stakes, then someone's got to die."
On Paramount Network's Yellowstone, Kevin Costner confirmed in June 2024 that he would not return to complete the fifth and final season after playing John Dutton for four and a half seasons. On Netflix's The Witcher, Henry Cavill announced in October 2022 that he would step down as Geralt of Rivia after season three, with Liam Hemsworth taking over for season four. Cavill wrote on Instagram: "My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures. Alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4." Finally, daytime soap General Hospital saw Sofia Mattsson depart in summer 2025 after seven years as Sasha Gilmore, with her character leaving Port Charles for Paris.
