Sanditon Loses a Resident Following Season 2

A main cast member of the PBS Masterpiece historical drama Sanditon isn't coming back for season three. Find out who won't be returning to the Regency era for more.

By Daniel Trainor May 24, 2022 12:05 AMTags
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A beloved Sanditon character has already met her fateful end. 

Charlotte Spencer, who played Esther on the PBS period drama's first two seasons, will not be returning for its third, according to TVLine

Season two of Sanditon, which is based on Jane Austen's unfinished novel, which found Esther suffering from laudanum poisoning at the hands of Edward (Jack Fox), ended on a positive note for often-maligned character. Esther, who previously had a miscarriage and was told she wasn't able to have children of her own, was left to raise Clara's (Lily Sacofsky) baby after she left the town of Sanditon. 

The writing was on the wall for Esther's exit after she got her happy ending.

"I think where we leave her at the end of season two she's got everything she's ever wanted," Sanditon showrunner Justin Young told Decider, "she's happy, married, and now she has a child that she adores, so I think that's the end of Esther's story as far as I'm concerned."

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It's not all bad news for Charlotte, who was recently cast in the BBC/Paramount+ drama The Gold, "inspired by the true story of the UK's iconic Brink's-Mat robbery and the decades-long chain of events that followed," according to Deadline. Charlotte will star alongside Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden and Dominic Cooper.

The actress is not the only major star to have been written off Sanditon, as Theo James—who appeared in season one as Sidney Parker—was revealed to have died of yellow fever in the season two premiere.

For more on other stars who have left TV shows in 2022, keep reading:

Henry Cavill, The Witcher

In October 2022, Henry Cavill announced that he was exiting The Witcher ahead of its fourth season. "My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season four," he wrote on Instagram. "In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf."

Jesse Lee Soffer, Chicago P.D.

Jesse Lee Soffer will exit his beloved Detective Jay Halstead role in Chicago P.D.'s 10th season. After thanking the cast and show's creator Dick Wolf, Soffer shared in a statement, "To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show. I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead."

Michael Fishman, The Conners

Michael Fishman will not be back for The Conners' fifth season. However, Fishman indicated that his exit from the show was not his call, noting in a statement, "While I was told I would not be returning for season five, Lanford was a valuable place to grow up, learn and develop. I was incredibly lucky to return home and demonstrate my expansion. As I venture into the world to build the future, I send tremendous love and success to everyone involved in production."

Kelli Giddish, Law & Order: SVU

The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit actress took to Instagram on Aug. 24 to announce that the NBC series' upcoming 24th season will be her last. "Playing Rollins has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life," Giddish wrote. "I've been so fortunate to be a part of the Law & Order family for the last 12 years."

Jordan Elsass, Superman & Lois

In August, Warner Bros confirmed the role of Jonathan Kent will be recast after Jordan Elsass left the show citing personal reasons.

Christiane Paul, FBI: International

In July, it was reported that Christiane Paul has exited CBS' FBI: International. Actress Eva-Jane Willis has since joined the cast.

Tanya Reynolds, Sex Education

In July, Tanya Reynolds confirmed that she would not return to Sex Education for season four. "I loved every minute of it and I loved Lily with my whole entire heart," she told the UK's Radio Times. "Three seasons was just a really perfect amount for me."

Patricia Allison, Sex Education

Patricia Allison, who played Ola on three seasons of Netflix's Sex Education, announced her departure from the show in July 2022.

Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid's Tale

After appearing on all four seasons of The Handmaid's Tale as Emily/Ofglen, Alexis Bledel announced her exit from the show.

"After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid's Tale at this time," Alexis said. "I am forever grateful to [creator] Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support."

Anthony Anderson, Law & Order

Say goodbye to Detective Bernard!

On May 27, E! News confirmed that Anthony Anderson will not star in season 22 of NBC's Law & Order.

Simone Ashley, Sex Education

In April, Simone Ashley confirmed that she would not appear in the fourth season of Netflix's Sex Education. "No," she said on Good Morning Britain. "I get asked that all the time, no."

But, she has a good reason: "I'm a Bridgerton gal now."

Charlotte Spencer, Sanditon

Charlotte Spencer has exited the PBS period drama.

Lina Enzo, S.W.A.T.

On May 23, it was announced that Lina Enzo, who stars as Officer Christine "Chris" Alonso, will not return to the CBS series for its sixth season.

Ruby Stokes, Bridgerton

After playing Francesca Bridgerton for two seasons, the actress left to star in Netflix's new show Lockwood & Co. 

Anatomy of a Scandal star Hannah Dodd will replace Ruby in season three.

F. Murray Abraham, Mythic Quest

F. Murray Abraham, the Oscar-winning actor who played C.W Longbottom on Apple TV+'s Mythic Quest for two seasons, left show abruptly in April 2022.

"F. Murray Abraham will not be returning to season three of Mythic Quest," said Lionsgate, the studio that produces the show. "Beyond that, we do not comment on matters concerning personnel."

Thomas Cocquerel, Gilded Age

After breaking the heart of Louisa Jacobson's Marian Brook in the Gilded Age, Thomas Cocquerel's Tom Raikes is gone. In April 2022, HBO confirmed he's no longer a series regular.

Jesse L. Martin, The Flash

In April 2022, it was announced that Jesse L. Martin was leaving The Flash as a series regular after eight seasons. The actor, who plays Captain Joe West on the DC superhero drama, is still expected to appear as a guest star on the show's ninth season.

Miles Fowler, The Resident

In April 2022, it was revealed that Miles Fowler had exited The Resident after only one season on the show. According to his rep, who told TVLine, the actor only had a one-season contract with the medical drama.

Gavin Leatherwood, Sex Lives of College Girls

In March 2022, Gavin Leatherwood revealed that he will not be returning for season two of Sex Lives of College Girls. revealing to Us Weekly that he wanted to "keep spreading our wings and leading ourselves to other projects."

Grown-ish Cast

Francia Raisa (Ana), Emily Arlook (Nomi), Chloe Bailey (Jazz), Luka Sabbat (Luca), Halle Bailey (Sky), and Jordan Buhat (Vivek) left the show in the season four finale, which aired March 24 on Freeform. Having graduated from college, the characters are entering a new chapter in their lives.

Jorja Fox, CSI: Las Vegas

After William Petersen decided to skip season two of the CSI: Las Vegas revival, Jorja followed suit. She explained in a Twitter post, "I personally just can't split Sara and Grissom up again. So goes Grissom…..So goes Sara. Wherever they go, they belong together."

A few days later, co-star Mel Rodriguez also decided not to participate in season 2, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Lisa Edelstein, 9-1-1: Lone Star

Though the moment wasn't shown in the Feb. 28 episode, it's explained that Gwyn is hit by a car and dies. But 9-1-1 is known for its occasional dream sequence, so Edelstein hasn't ruled out a return. "I mean, the producers refused to give me the traditional ‘It's a series wrap for Lisa' send-off," she told TVLine, "so one never knows!" 

Richard Flood, Grey's Anatomy

Dr. Cormac Hayes resigned from his role as Head of Pediatric Surgery at Sloan Grey Memorial in the March 3 episode. According to Flood, he left the show because "three years on the show felt right for me," according to Deadline.

Nick Zano, Legends of Tomorrow

In the season seven finale, Nate Heywood, a.k.a. Steel, was stripped of his powers after running through a World War I battlefield and inhaling mustard gas. Left powerless, he returned to the totem to be with his girlfriend, Zari 1.0.

Maia Mitchell, Good Trouble

After playing Callie Foster in The Fosters spinoff Good Trouble for nine years, Maia decided it was time to exit the series. "While I have been so beyond fortunate to have this career and a job that I love, with not an iota of regret," she wrote on Instagram, "for quite some time I have suppressed an undeniable gravitational pull to return home to Australia to be closer to my nearest and dearest."

In the series, Callie and her boyfriend, Jamie, played by Beau Mirchoff, move to Washington D.C. to pursue new careers.

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