Changes for Castle Season 8 have begun as Penny Jerald Johnson, who plays Captain Victoria Gates, confirmed to her fans via Twitter that she will not be returning to the show in the fall: 

“To my Castle fans around the world, as of late yesterday I am surprised and saddened to learn that I will no longer be a part of the Castle family. Thank you all for your support and love. Hugs from PJJ”

As Castle Season 7 Episode 23 ended, fans were left to wonder if Kate Beckett would make a foray into politics or perhaps move up the ranks within the NYPD since she was said to have aced her Captain’s exam. Could the ouster of Capt. Victoria “Iron” Gates be the answer? Will Beckett be filling the now vacant Captain’s chair at the 12th precinct?

And with new co-showrunners Terence Paul Winter and Alexi Hawley taking over the reins of the ABC hit show, are more changes on the way?

Castle Season 7: Top Scenes, Worst Episodes & More!

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If you can't wait for Season 8 to begin, you can always watch Castle online right now here at TV Fanatic. 

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.