Scott Patterson Exits ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Ahead of Season 4 in Shocking Departure (Exclusive)

Sullivan’s Crossing will look different when the show comes back for season 4 as Scott Patterson has officially exited the series.

“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 Luxury Handbag Shopping. “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.”

The hit show, which is based on a book series by Robyn Carr, follows neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) who must return 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.

After Sullivan’s Crossing premiered on Netflix in July 2025, it found an even bigger audience. Fans, however, wondered after season 3 whether there would be cast exits after Sully left on a getaway to Ireland with his girlfriend and Edna (Andrea Menard) and Frank (Tom Jackson) also contemplated moving on from the campground.

Patterson previously praised his time on Sullivan’s Crossing before his shocking exit.

“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,” Patterson exclusively told Luxury Handbag Shopping 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.”

Sullivan’s Crossing is currently streaming on Netflix. Season 4 premieres April 20 on The CW.