Revenge Shocker! Showrunner Mike Kelley Exits ABC Series

Mike Kelley has stepped down as showrunner of Revenge, TVGuide.com has confirmed. 

After an uneven second season, Kelley will exit the series, with current executive producer Sunil Nayar expected to take over in Season 3, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news.

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"In a difficult mutual decision between myself and ABC studios, the end of my current contract will mark my final season as showrunner for Revenge," Kelley said in a statement. "Helming this series has been the ride of a lifetime, and my producing partner, Melissa Loy, and I will look back on our Revenge time with deep gratitude and respect for Emily [VanCamp] and Madeleine [Stowe] and the rest of the incredible cast, our heroic crew, the dedicated and imaginative producing and writing team, and the tireless post production department. I would also like to thank Paul Lee, his marketing team, and the creative executives at ABC and ABC studios for their profound support throughout this journey. I'm excited about finishing post production on the Season 2 finale, which I hope will stand among the best episodes of the series thus far. Continued success to all."

Revenge came out of the gate strong in its freshman season, becoming a ratings hit and critical darling. But the show's move to Sundays and its increasingly convoluted story lines didn't help in its second season, averaging 7.3 million viewers, a 10 percent drop.

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"Mike Kelley created a distinctive series for our studio and network with tremendous passion and dedication," said Barry Jossen, EVP of Creative and Production at ABC Studios. "We wish him all the best as he moves on to his next television achievement."

Will you miss Kelley? Or do you think a fresh take may help the series?