Scott Patterson Says ‘Untenable’ Creative Differences Led to Decision to Leave “Sullivan’s Crossing” After 3 Seasons
Scott Patterson Says ‘Untenable’ Creative Differences Led to Decision to Leave “Sullivan’s Crossing” After 3 Seasons
Angel SaundersFri, March 6, 2026 at 5:07 AM UTC
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Scott Patterson as Sully SullivanCredit: Jessie Redmond/Fremantle -
Scott Patterson shares his side of why he exited the upcoming season of Sullivan's Crossing
The Gilmore Girls alum starred as Harry “Sully” Sullivan in the show's first three seasons
I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue,” Patterson said
Scott Patterson is opening up about his decision to leave Sullivan’s Crossing after three seasons.
In a new post to Facebook on Thursday, March 5, the 67-year-old Gilmore Girls alum explained why it was time for him to make his exit before the fourth season of the hit Canadian series arrives in April.
“The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue,” Patterson wrote.
Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan in Sullivan's Crossing.Credit: Jessie Redmond/Fremantle
“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,” he said of his role as Harry “Sully” Sullivan, the estranged father of Maggie Sullivan (played by Morgan Kohan).
He previously called the role a "career-defining moment" when season 1 premiered in 2023, while speaking to Brit + Co.
In his Thursday statement, Patterson called assumptions that the CW series “moved on” from his character “unfortunate,” adding that it’s actually “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 claimed.
The Saw V actor added that he never intended to release a statement about his exit, but that he didn't want to disappoint fans of the series — or those who love the novels that inspired it.
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“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,” he added.
He concluded by saying that fans of the show "deserved better," and that he didn't want to disrespect the audience or the show itself.
"In the end, we’re all fans of these characters and stories, and I’ll always support and defend the truth," Patterson said.
Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones, Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan and Scott Patterson as Harry SullivanCredit: Michael Tompkins/Freemantle
The day before his social media post, showrunner Roma Roth told PEOPLE in a statement that Patterson's absence in the upcoming season was a result of how season 3 ended.
According to Roth, in the series, Sully has simply left for Ireland and is living his life overseas. She added that while Patterson isn’t "physically present" for the fourth season, that there’s always the possibility he may return later.
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"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,” Roma said.
Season 4 of Sullivan's Crossing premieres April 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CW. The show is also available to stream on Netflix.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
