Things will look a little different when we tune into Sullivan’s Crossing season 4.

The latest installment of the hit drama premieres on Monday, April 20, 2026, on the CW, and fans have eagerly waited to get back in step with the folks at the Crossing. Whether it be watching Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) and Cal Jones’s (Chad Michael Murray) relationship challenges or meeting new characters, there’s a lot to explore as new episodes air every Monday night.

But as with most long-running shows, major shakeups are bound to happen. And that’s exactly what fans got weeks ahead of the season 4 premiere, when news broke that Scott Patterson had exited Sullivan’s Crossing as Harry “Sully” Sullivan.

Since this obviously will affect the show moving forward, we were wondering why Scott Patterson left Sullivan’s Crossing? And more importantly, what does this mean for the future of the series? It looks like we already have a surprise explanation for the shocking move.

When Sullivan’s Crossing executive producer and showrunner Roma Roth exclusively spoke to Us Weekly about Scott leaving the show in early March 2026, she noted that the actor’s exit was implied at the end of season 3. What’s more, Sully’s presence was seemingly always in flux throughout the new season, given how the character left the Crossing to venture on a new adventure in Europe.

“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,” she explained in an interview published on March 4. “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.”

But that’s not all folks learned about the drama. Despite Roma’s comments about the exit, Scott went to Instagram on March 5 to share his own thoughts.

“Every actor knows what it’s like to fall in love with a character and a story,” he emotionally wrote in the caption. “I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him. The creative differences were becoming untenable, and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”

“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,” he added. “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 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.”

When fans saw Scott’s note, they sent words of support online.

“Oh no! You were the reason I started watching! I’m sad to see you go, but totally respect your decision, their loss!” one person wrote in the comments. “I really love Sully! I’m so sad to hear this 😢 I’m sorry Scott ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love you 💕,” another penned. “Awww I understand! I admire you for being honest and sticking to doing what makes you happy. Love you Scott! 🩵,” a different follower added.

As for how this changes the future of Sullivan’s Crossing, fans learned that the show wrote about Sully leaving the Crossing to explore life in Ireland. And when Swooon asked Morgan Kohan about it, she noted that his absence will be felt in some fashion on the show.

“It’s kind of addressed throughout the season,” Morgan told the outlet in an interview published on April 19. “We get to find out as an audience what’s going on.”

Well, after this, we definitely need to tune in and see what happens next …