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Tamala Jones Didn’t Think Her ‘Castle’ Exit Would Be Announced So Soon

Tamala Jones
Jones arrives at the People's Choice Awards 2016.Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

Moving on! Tamala Jones opened up about her exit from the ABC series Castle during an interview with Access Hollywood on Tuesday, April 19.

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Jones appeared at peace with saying goodbye, but she didn’t reveal whether it was her decision or the network’s decision to write off her character.

“I actually found out on Friday. I got the call and I didn’t think it was going to be exposed so soon,” Jones, 41, said. “I thought, ‘Let the fans get through the season and then announce.’ But when it came out I was very much aware. And I feel good. I have had the biggest blessing being on Castle.”

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Jones has played Lanie Parish on the crime procedural since its debut in 2009. “Lanie was never a series regular,” Jones added. “And I was there from day one.”

Tamala Jones
Jones in ‘Castle.’ Richard Cartwright/ABC via Getty Images

As previously reported, Castle’s leading lady Stana Katic (Kate Beckett) is also leaving the show. According to Deadline, Katic, 37, left over “budgetary reasons.” However, a source told Us Weekly that she and costar Nathan Fillion (Richard Castle) didn’t get along on set.

Nonetheless, Fillion praised Katic via Twitter following the news. ABC president Paul Lee also hinted that the Firefly alum, 45, might sign on for a ninth season, if the show gets renewed.

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“We’d love Castle to keep going for many years to come. There are a lot of conversations going on as to how we could do that,” Lee told TVLine back in January.

If that happens, Jones will be watching. “Eight is completion and new beginnings, so I think I’ll finish great. I feel good … I do, and if there is a season 9, I would love for the fans to continue to watch because I’ve been a fan the whole time I’ve been on the show,” she told Access Hollywood. “I think it’s an awesome show.”

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