Castle Behind-the-Scenes Drama: What Really Happened Between Nathan Fillion & Stana Katic?

Summary

• Castle was on the air for eight seasons.
• The show's success is attributed to the relationship between its two leads.
• But behind the scenes, the stars couldn't stand each other.

The ABC police procedural Castle ran for a remarkable eight seasons and 173 episodes. Although it was never a ratings bonanza, the show kept a remarkably steady and devoted fan base over the years.

That loyalty is easy to understand. Castle had a unique combination of comedy and drama, and never seemed to take itself too seriously. Plus, the combination of a playboy writer and a stern NYPD cop was an endlessly fun concept.

But most of all, there was the chemistry. Oh, that chemistry.

'Caskett'

The show's title character is wise-cracking, fun-loving Richard Castle (played by wise-cracking, fun-loving Nathan Fillion). Castle is a bestselling mystery writer who is bored by his job. When a murderer starts committing crimes straight out of Castle's books, he is drawn into the circle of the NYPD and hard nosed Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic).

The combination of Beckett's experience and Castle's outside-the-box thinking leads them to form an unusual partnership. Castle continues to 'consult' with the NYPD, at first annoying Beckett but eventually winning her over.

Explosive Chemistry

There's more than one kind of chemistry, and while audiences were swooning over the romantic tension between Castle and Beckett on screen, the reality seems to be that the tension was rooted in anger rather than love.

Although the stars remained professional in public and the rumors were never confirmed, at this point it's pretty much taken as fact that they despised each other behind the scenes. Sources have said that after the first few seasons, they wouldn't even speak to each other after the cameras stopped rolling. The same source claimed that Katic was driven to tears by Fillion on more than one occasion.

While the production has never confirmed the rumors, they've never really been denied either. Fans have long known that Katic and Fillion were actually encouraged to go to couple's counseling together in an attempt to patch up their working relationship.

What Caused The Drama?

Nobody knows exactly what caused the tension between the two stars. Some have said that in the first few years Katic and Fillion got along well – there were even rumors that they had started dating. If that's true, it's possible that a bad breakup caused the original rift between them.

Of course, it's also possible that they simply didn't get along, and that the notoriously grueling schedule of network television meant that they never had a break from each other.

The End of An Era

Fans were devastated when it was announced Katic had been fired from Castle. There were plans at first for the show to continue without her: after the Season 8 cliffhanger showing Castle and Beckett getting shot, it would be revealed the following year that Beckett had died. However, it quickly became clear that fans would not continue to watch without Katic.

Instead, Season 8 ended with a tacked-on epilogue after the shooting, revealing Beckett and Castle alive and well seven years in the future.

It was… weird. But hey, at least we got a happy ending!

It's possible that the rumored feud caused ABC to let go of Katic, but it's also possible that the show's reduced budget and smaller ratings only left room for one star. Katic later told EW:

'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…But now, nearly two years later…I met so many beautiful people on that project, and we collaborated on something really unique.'

Where Are They Now?

It doesn't seem like Katic and Fillion are in contact any more, but both have moved on to new phases in their careers. Fillion is entering his sixth season on another police procedural, The Rookie, while Katic has been busy starring in Absentia, contributing to charitable causes, and having a baby.

And fans don't have to let go of Castle any time soon: all eight seasons are available to stream on Disney+.

Source: EW.com.