Mekhi Phifer to Exit Lie to Me
Mekhi Phifer won't return to Lie to Me when the show returns to Fox in November.
Producer David Graziano tells Entertainment Weekly that The Lightman Group will be "going rogue" a little bit this fall, breaking away from the FBI and, therefore, Phifer's agent.
“Lightman is going to act slightly in the more old-school PI model of a TV protagonist, [so] we’re doing away with the FBI contract [and] Mekhi is unfortunately no longer going to be on the show," the producer said.
“The FBI franchise limited our storytelling a little bit because it had to adhere to the FBI structures of ‘Would the FBI take this case or not? The character that’s going to be our badge this season is a bent cop, Wolowsky [The Unusuals' Monique Gabriela Curnen], who goes about business in a similar way to Lightman. There’s a mutual respect from the get-go. We’re working hard to make The Lightman Group a dysfunctional family.”
You tells us, fans: Will you miss Phifer on the show?
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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January 31st, 2011 10:57 PM
I am going to really miss Ben's character. I was hoping he would work directly for the LG. I really love this show!!!
January 3rd, 2011 9:56 PM
I really miss the dynamic between Lightman and Reynolds. It was a good, dynamic kinship. Its not the same show. In one sense they were a little hamstrung by their association with the 'FBI'. However the types of case information that that relationship brought elevated the gravity of the show. Afghanistan, former CIA, military angles are were fruitful story places to go.
October 30th, 2010 8:29 AM
He was a awesome actor and will be missed. I hope they bring him back as a private employee; actually that is what I thought he was originally.
October 20th, 2010 10:11 PM
ill miss Mekhi Phifer on the show. hes a good actor and his character had some great scenes with lightman and loker. lightman said at the end of season 1. he had something his team didnt have which is why he was sort of part of kept with him.
id of liked to of seen his character develop a bit more and him get screwed by an fbi agent higher up than him which is to why he could then go "rogue" and join the lightman group. but oh well....this new badge could be an interesting story.
October 13th, 2010 12:17 PM
I FEEL AS THOUGH HE BROUGHT A LOT OF CHARISMA TO THE SHOW. THEY SHOULD KEEP HIM AND ADD HIM TO THE LIGHTMAN GROUP. HE IS A DARN GOOD ACTOR
September 3rd, 2010 8:18 AM
Of course. He's a nice character. But I wouldn't miss the FBI. Unfortunately he'a part of the FBI so that means he's gone, too. Pity.
Rank: Guest Star
September 2nd, 2010 12:43 AM
Of course ! any character that leaves this show is going to be missed.
this is one of the few crime solving shows that have the team in a family type relationship.
Rank: Staff Member
September 1st, 2010 11:32 PM
They have said next week that someone close to Lightman would "pay the price" -- wonder if they are sending Reynolds off with a "bang" so to speak...
September 1st, 2010 9:58 PM
totally... strong character... good rapport built up amongst cast i'd like to see him leave the FBI and join LB... over the last dozen episodes or so, he and CL have a brotherly tagteam that is refreshing