Sullivan's Crossing Stars Address Scott Patterson's Unexpected Departure
Chad Michael Murray and Morgan Kohan have openly discussed the surprising exit of co-star Scott Patterson from the romantic drama Sullivan's Crossing, acknowledging that his departure was unexpected but will allow the series to explore fresh narrative directions. The show, which premiered its fourth season earlier this month on CTV and Crave in Canada and The CW in the United States, faces a significant shift with Patterson's character, Harry "Sully" Sullivan, remaining abroad in Ireland.
Creative Differences Lead to Character Shift
Patterson confirmed his exit was due to "creative differences" with producers, a development that showrunner Roma Roth addressed by stating Sully will not return to the series. This marks a pivotal moment for the program, which is adapted from bestselling novels by Virgin River author Robyn Carr and follows neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Kohan) as she returns to her childhood home in Nova Scotia and reconnects with her estranged father, Sully.
Murray described Patterson as one of the "foundational pieces that this world is built on," emphasizing Sully's enduring presence in spirit. "Sully's there. I want to assure audiences of that. Sully's always going to be part of the Crossing," Murray explained. "But what's interesting is now we have an opportunity to tell other stories. New stories. Create new characters. Bring in blank slates to this world."
New Dynamics and Character Growth
Kohan highlighted how Sully's absence forces Maggie into uncharted territory, noting that viewers will witness her "trying to find her footing again." She elaborated, "What's interesting is when a character leaves, you're watching all the other people that were attached to that character and seeing how their lives change and relationships shift. For Maggie ... he was such a staple and support and someone to go to. Now that he's not there in the same capacity, we're having to watch her when things are a little messy."
The fourth season picks up from the cliffhanger ending of season three, which saw the return of Maggie's ex-husband Liam (Marcus Rosner) alongside Sully's departure. Kohan teased that the upcoming episodes will delve deeply into the "Liam-Maggie-Cal dynamic," with Murray humorously adding, "Look, we'll be honest. It's a throuple. It's a lot of drama. It's a love triangle. This is a really big one and it's a good one."
Fan Engagement and Personal Connections
Both stars reflected on the passionate fanbase of Sullivan's Crossing, with Murray observing a shift in how audiences engage with him. "When I first started this show, people would stop me for One Tree Hill and other things. Now, as this show continues to grow and go around the world, people are stopping me on the daily wanting to talk about Sullivan's Crossing ... I adore it. Because when you go to make these adventures in storytelling, your hope is that you can make stories that connect with audiences."
They also shared personal insights into their characters' journeys. Murray emphasized the theme of healing, stating, "Everybody can identify with healing. That's always been my take. Sullivan's Crossing is a place you go to heal and all these characters are coming from some tragedy ... and they come here to heal themselves. It's really beautiful." Kohan related this to her own experiences, revealing she took a page from Maggie's book by traveling to England for personal growth. "I went to England for a couple of months because things were feeling a little the same in my day-to-day life. I wanted to go and expand and see who I am in a different country and what that brings out of me."
Filming in Nova Scotia and Future Prospects
The series films in Nova Scotia, and both actors praised the province's charm. Kohan recommended Weird Harbour Coffee as a hidden gem, while Murray endorsed the steak bites at Chop restaurant, joking, "Ask them if they'll do it Chad style and you won't regret it." They described the unique energy of returning to film each season, with Kohan sharing an anecdote about fans from the Netherlands visiting Halifax because of the show.
Looking ahead, the stars expressed hope for a fifth season, given there are five novels in Carr's book series. Kohan said, "We all are hoping for that," and Murray added, "Your mouth to God's ears. But let's enjoy season 4 ... Get ready to root for people." When asked about a potential crossover with Virgin River, Kohan responded enthusiastically, "I would love that ... We have actors play different characters on both shows ... But I'm game. Virgin's Crossing? Sullivan's River?"
As Sullivan's Crossing continues to captivate audiences with its blend of drama and scenic beauty, the departure of Scott Patterson marks a new chapter that promises to deepen character relationships and introduce compelling storylines in the evolving world of the Crossing.
