Scott Patterson was brutally honest about his role on Sullivan’s Crossing before his shocking — and messy — exit.
Patterson had his breakout role as Luke Danes on Gilmore Girls, which ran from 2000 to 2007. He reprised his role in Netflix’s Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in 2016 before returning to small town life as Sully from Sullivan’s Crossing.
Based on a book series by Robyn Carr, Sullivan’s Crossing follows neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) as she returns to her hometown in rural Nova Scotia. Throughout the seasons, viewers have been introduced to her estranged father, Sully (Patterson), newcomer Cal (Chad Michael Murray) and more members of the community.
Patterson became a staple on the hit series — until Us Weekly broke the news in March 2026 that the actor would not be reprising his role when season 4 returns.
“Season 3 of Sullivan’s Crossing ended with Sully leaving for Ireland, beginning a new chapter in his life. Season 4 picks up the next day, with Sully still overseas,” Sullivan’s Crossing executive producer and showrunner Roma Roth exclusively told Us. “While he isn’t physically present in this season, the character remains an important part of the world with the potential to be included in future seasons should that align with the ongoing creative.”
In response, Patterson hinted at what caused his surprising departure, writing via Instagram, “The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”
Patterson clarified it wasn’t his choice to leave Sullivan’s Crossing.
“It’s unfortunate that it is now being implied that they moved on from me/Sully when the fact is the complete opposite, and those who sadly already have spoken out are also fully aware of this fact, and yet chose to say otherwise,” he continued. “I was not intending to make any statement but the fans of the books and the show deserve to know the truth as I have always been respectful of those who support this industry by watching and loving these characters we are so dang lucky and blessed to portray and bring to life.”
Keep scrolling for Patterson’s insight into working on the show before his exit:
Bringing a New Story to Life
After Sullivan’s Crossing was renewed for a second season, Scott Patterson spoke to Entertainment Weekly in December 2022 about the future of the show.
“There will be a lot of surprises,” he teased. “I think season 2 is faster-paced overall, but it’s Sullivan’s Crossing, so it’s similar in that it’s still deeply emotional, it’s deeply romantic, and we’re just watching these characters go through their lives and grow to these sorts of inevitable mini-conclusions and complications that arise.”
![Sullivan s Crossing s Scott Patterson Discusses [Redacted] s Fate After Shooting I Cried So Much 487](/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Sullivan-s-Crossing-s-Scott-Patterson-Discusses-Redacted-s-Fate-After-Shooting-I-Cried-So-Much-487-1.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all)
“It’s always exciting to go to a new place with a new project [and] with new expectations. Everybody’s lovely. The work is deep and the collaboration is real. You’ve got a built-in audience with [Gilmore Girls] and now we’ve got Robyn Carr’s book audience,” he told Us in October 2023. “So it’s kind of exciting to come into something that’s kind of established — has already an established fan base — and I can bring mine in. They can join forces and watch the show together and compare notes.”
Patterson highlighted how Sullivan’s Crossing left room for collaboration.
“I have a lot more freedom to create the role. I have a lot more input with what [Sully] says and what he does. I just love that about the show. I love that about the producers and the network and all the support they give. And [executive producer] Roma Roth is a very, very special showrunner,” he noted. “She really, really trusts her actors and she really listens. She just wants the best for the episode. She wants the best for the scene [and] she wants the best for the show. To me, that is the sign of a true leader. So we follow her lead, but she’s open to suggestions, which makes this so much stronger.”
At the time, Patterson shared how “respected” the cast got to feel on set.
“Everybody has a platform to voice their concerns or their opinions and state their ideas and they’re taken seriously,” he added. “It makes everybody feel like they’ve got skin in the game and that they’re helping to create this as we go along in a little way. Roma’s still the boss and she’s doing all of the heavy lifting. But she wants to hear our thoughts and that’s rare. That’s very, very special. I think that’s why this show feels so natural, so alive and [why] it’s been so successful so far. I hope that continues.”
Going Behind the Scenes of the Show
“Every actor knows what it’s like to fall in love with a character and a story. I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him,” Scott Patterson wrote via Instagram in March 2026. “I really enjoyed Sully and fought for his voice and his character. The richness and depth of Sully, whom the fans of the books all know and love, is so multi-layered and interesting.”
The statement concluded: “The fans deserved better than to think the embodiment of this character, me, would just disrespect not only the show, but them. In the end, we’re all fans of these characters and stories, and I’ll always support and defend the truth.”
