Stana Katic Recalls Abrupt Castle Exit: "It Hurt"

The end of Castle was bittersweet for many reasons, not the least of which was the fact that Stana Katic's relationship with the show had soured long before it was announced that the eighth season would be its last. After she was let go from the program, rumors swirled about her allegedly toxic relationship with co-star Nathan Fillion, and even he conceded that the show's quality took a hit in the end.

Now that she's back in action with the launch of her new Amazon series Absentia, Katic is finally ready to speak her truth about how she really felt about the show's chaotic final days.

Speaking toEntertainment Weekly, she revealed, "I'm actually still not clear on the thought process behind the way that it went down. It hurt and it was a harsh ending."

However, Katic said she has been able to table any grudges she might've had about Castle's tumultuous end, saying, "Nearly two years later...I met so many beautiful people on that project, and we collaborated on something really unique in that it's not every day that you get a show, or a series, that has eight seasons and that it was a hit for the network. It would be a disservice to those people, to the work that we did together, and to my work, which I feel contributed, in part, to the success of the show, to be anything but grateful because, at the end of the day, that was a fantastic platform. It was a formative experience, and we told a love story that I feel moved people, touched people, and I can't be anything but glad that I was a part of something like that. I hope it remains something special in viewers' minds forever."

Of course, Katic has always been gracious about Castle's sizable fanbase, even when the situation was still raw. She wrote a heartfelt note to fans at the time which echoed the same sentiment, saying, "I'm lucky to have met and worked with and for the lot of you. I will always be grateful. BIG HUG."

Katic's Absentia debuts on Friday, Feb. 2.