In early August (2016), new ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey was asked about the decision to cancel the long-running procedural show Castle after eight seasons. The decision was shocking because the studio had worked to re-sign Nathan Fillion, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, and others ahead of the season/series finale.
During the summer press tour, Dungey said the network was very upfront with the studio and producers about the possibility of the show ending for good in season eight. The studio did what they needed to do in case they got the pick-up for a season nine. At the end of the day, the network felt the decisions made (ousting of Katic) was not the right thing to do in order for the network to green-light another season.
