'Castle' Season 8 Update: What If Stana Katic Had Not Returned; New Season To Focus On Beckett's Career Choice

“Castle” Season 7 ended on a happy note. There was no disappearance or death of a major character, and there was also no Rick Castle and Kate Beckett’s separation. With Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion returning to reprise their roles in “Castle” Season 8, the show’s nucleus is not going to change. But if Katic had not signed on her new contract, the new season would have been a different show.

Katic confirmed her return a day after “Castle” Season 7 wrapped up. As the actress was taking time to ink her new contract, there were speculations that her character would be killed off. Speaking about what they would have done if Katic had not signed on, the new co-showrunner Alexi Hawley told TV Line that there is “always a Plan B.”

If Katic was not part of “Castle” Season 8, Hawley said, “... it would’ve been a fundamentally different show, and that would’ve been quite a mountain to climb.” Underscoring that the relationship between Castle and Beckett is “very much at the centre of the show,” he said that he would not have been thrilled to do a show that does not feature Katic. He added, “That’s a high-wire act.”

As previously reported, Hawley and Terence Paul Winter are going to serve as the new showrunners. They are taking the reins from David Amann who served as the showrunner after creator Andrew Marlowe stepped down last year. Hawley said that he and Winter have yet to meet and discuss the new season of “Castle.”

Hawley believes that there is still room for movement when it comes to Caskett’s relationship. Also he said that ABC wants to tell good stories, and according to him, “there’s still a lot of great stories to be told.”

Meanwhile, it looks like “Castle” Season 8 will focus on Beckett’s professional journey. In Season 7 finale, she was offered the opportunity to run for New York state senate. She had yet to make a decision. According to ABC’s press release, “In the Season 7 finale, Castle revealed some of his backstory for becoming a mystery writer, while Beckett was faced with a choice about her future -- will she choose to pursue a new challenge or stay where she is?”

“Castle” will be returning with Season 8 episodes on its regular Monday night slot. ABC has not confirmed the episode count of the new season and the premiere date. It is expected to premiere sometime this fall.

You may contact the writer at a.shrivastava@IBTimes.com.au