The television landscape is in a constant state of flux. Every new season brings a fresh wave of debuts, hotly anticipated returns, and, inevitably, major casting shakeups. For viewers, these changes are often a source of both heartbreak and excitement—saying goodbye to a beloved character can be devastating, but the arrival of a new, compelling face injects a vital dose of energy into a long-running series.
The transition into the 2025-2026 TV season is proving to be particularly turbulent, marked by a wave of unexpected exits from network mainstays, exciting debuts with A-list talent, and the inevitable flow of veterans and newcomers across the streaming and broadcast divide. Whether it’s a veteran stepping away after a long run, a star moving to a high-profile new series, or an entire new ensemble debuting, here is the essential guide to who is in and who is out of your favorite shows—and the ones about to become your new obsession—for Fall 2025 and beyond.
The Veterans Say Goodbye: Major Exits That Stunned Fans
Change is hard, especially when it involves saying farewell to characters who have anchored a show for years. The departure of key cast members can shift the entire dynamic of a series, leaving fans to wonder how the story can possibly continue.
The Firehouse Exodus: Chicago Fire
The One Chicago universe is famous for its long runs, but the new season of Chicago Fire sees an unprecedented number of beloved characters stepping out of Firehouse 51. Fans are bracing for the loss of several key figures, including Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver). These departures, coming after seasons of watching their characters grow within the tight-knit team, will be felt deeply. Showrunners face the challenge of filling the emotional void left by Ritter’s seven-season run and Carver’s pivotal recent arc, which had just started to heat up.
The End of an Era: 9-1-1
One of the most emotional exits hitting primetime is on 9-1-1, with the likely departure of veteran actor Peter Krause (Bobby Nash). The dramatic Season 8 finale left his character’s fate uncertain, and with the show moving into its ninth season, the loss of the 118’s steadfast captain and the heart of his relationship with Athena (Angela Bassett) is poised to be one of the most devastating shifts on broadcast television.
Trackers & Trailblazers: Other Notable Goodbyes
Also making their exit is a significant portion of the main cast from the drama Tracker. The show is losing series regulars Eric Graise (Bobby) and Abby McEnany (Velma), meaning Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) will have to find new ways to manage his work on the road and new sources for his case-related computer assistance and information. Meanwhile, the dark fantasy series Gen V confirmed that the second season will move forward without cast member Chance Perdomo (Andre Anderson) following his tragic death, with the showrunners planning to honor his memory as they continue the storyline.
Fresh Faces & Star Power: Who’s In for Returning Hits
While some stars are saying their goodbyes, others are clocking in to inject new energy into familiar settings. Returning shows are leaning heavily on star power and intriguing new character dynamics to keep the narratives fresh.
The Diplomatic Spouses
The world of international intrigue in The Diplomat is getting a serious upgrade in star wattage for its third season. Bradley Whitford (a West Wing veteran) is joining the cast as Todd Penn, the new First Gentleman married to the newly-minted President Grace Penn, played by fellow West Wing alum Allison Janney. This high-profile casting move promises substantial, politically-charged scenes alongside returning leads Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell.
The New Residents of Grey-Sloan
The perpetually dramatic halls of Grey’s Anatomy are welcoming a potential new firestorm in the form of Trevor Jackson. The actor is joining the cast as a new member of the staff who already has history with one of the interns—a classic Grey’s recipe for workplace chaos and romantic entanglements.
SNL’s Studio 8H Shake-up
The ever-revolving door of Saturday Night Live has finalized its cast for its 51st season. Following a spate of exits, including Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim, the show is welcoming five new featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall (previously a writer with the “Please Don’t Destroy” trio), Kam Patterson, and internet sensation Veronika Slowikowska. The return of veterans like Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang alongside new talent ensures the show’s legacy continues with a fresh comedic perspective.
The New Guard: High-Profile Series Debuts
The most exciting casting news often revolves around brand-new series, which have the freedom to build a dynamic ensemble from scratch. Fall 2025’s debuts are stacked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood making the jump to prestige television.
Mark Ruffalo and the Prestige Crime Drama
Following the success of Mare of Easttown, creator Brad Ingelsby is back with the HBO thriller Task. The series is set to star Mark Ruffalo as an FBI agent confronting personal trauma while investigating a criminal underworld. Ruffalo leads an impressive ensemble cast that includes Tom Pelphrey and CODA breakout Emilia Jones, setting the stage for the next big prestige drama.
The Star-Studded Lawyer Show
Ryan Murphy rarely fails to deliver a star-studded cast, and his new Hulu drama All’s Fair is no exception. The series, focused on high-powered divorce lawyers, boasts an unbelievable cast list featuring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Glenn Close. This blend of reality, Hollywood royalty, and Oscar-caliber talent is a massive streaming coup and guaranteed to generate immediate buzz.
NCIS’s Return to Romance and Danger
Fans of the original NCIS are getting a long-awaited reunion in the spin-off NCIS: Tony & Ziva. The series centers on the fan-favorite romantic pairing of Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) as they navigate an international conspiracy. The return of these two actors to their iconic roles is arguably one of the biggest casting moves in the history of the NCIS franchise.
Comedy Gold: Gleeson in The Paper
The spirit of The Office is being revived in the spiritual spin-off, The Paper, starring Domhnall Gleeson as the new editor-in-chief of a struggling Toledo newspaper. The quirky new ensemble tasked with revitalizing the flopping paper includes fan favorites like Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus) and Oscar Nuñez (The Office), blending new and familiar comedic styles for a promising workplace comedy.
Why Casting Moves Matter
The shift in a show’s ensemble is more than just behind-the-scenes trivia; it’s a crucial element of storytelling. A major cast departure can serve as a catalyst for significant plot developments, forcing remaining characters to grow and adapt. Conversely, an impactful new cast member can challenge the existing hierarchy, introduce fresh comedic rhythms, or kick off an entirely new mystery.
For the Fall 2025 season, the television landscape is demonstrating its resilience. While the loss of veteran talent from long-running staples like the One Chicago universe is a clear turning point, the influx of A-list actors into new, high-concept projects—from Ryan Murphy’s All’s Fair to the Mark Ruffalo-led Task—signals a renewed focus on ambitious, star-driven content. These moves promise a fall and winter of dramatic shifts, exciting debuts, and a continually evolving world of must-watch television. Who’s in and who’s out this season is not just a question of roster changes, but an early indicator of where TV’s biggest narratives are heading next.
