Scandal Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4

Another member of OPA has checked out.

Columbus Short will not return for the fourth season of ABC's Scandal, TVGuide.com has confirmed. A source says that the actor's contract option was not picked up.

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"At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short said in a statement. "I would like to first thank [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you Gladiators, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."

During the season finale, Short's character Harrison deduced that Olivia's (Kerry Washington) father had orchestrated the murder of the President's (Tony Goldwyn) son in a bid to get him reelected so that Rowan (Joe Morton) could regain his position as Command of B613. To prevent Harrison from revealing the truth to Olivia, it appeared Rowan ordered Secret Service/B613 Agent Tom (Brian Letscher) to kill him. In the final moments of the episode, Tom had his gun raised to shoot Harrison before the scene cut away. While it's not confirmed, it seems highly likely that Harrison is, indeed, dead. (Watch the Season 3 finale here.)

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The news comes on the heels of Short's personal problems. His wife filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order after she alleged that the actor threatened to kill her and himself.  A month earlier, Short was arrested on a felony battery charge stemming from a March 15 altercation at a West Hollywood restaurant in which he allegedly punched a man at an engagement party. Short was also reportedly arrested several other times for violent behavior, including twice in February for alleged physical altercations with his wife. He pled not guilty to spousal battery and child abuse in March.

Short is not the first Scandal actor to say farewell. Henry Ian Cusick, who played Olivia's right-hand man Stephen Finch, left after Season 1.

Are you surprised that Short will no longer be on Scandal? Will you miss his character?