SCANDAL: Henry Ian Cusick Won’t Return For Season 2, Josh Malina Promoted to Series Regular

SCANDAL is going to look a little bit different when season 2 debuts: an ABC spokesperson confirms that Henry Ian Cusick (Stephen) will not be a part of the series’ sophomore year, calling the move a “mutual decision.” The casting news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

The only bright side of Cusick being off SCANDAL? It could potentially clear the way for him to return to FRINGE for the show’s upcoming final season. (Last we saw his character on the Fox series, he sacrificed himself in amber — in the year 2036 — in order to free Peter, with the hopes of saving humanity from the Observers. With the show rumored to be spending at least part of the fifth season in the future, it would make sense to touch back on that at some point.)

When I spoke with Cusick in April, he didn’t totally rule out a return to the Fox series, saying, “SCANDAL is the show I’m in. FRINGE is just a one-off. But with a show like FRINGE, the storylines are such that anything can happen.”

UPDATE, 4:07 PM PT: There is some good news for SCANDAL fans, however. ABC confirms that Josh Malina (David) has been promoted to a series regular. The news was first reported by TVGuide.com.

Are you bummed Cusick’s Stephen won’t be a part of SCANDAL season 2? Or are you hoping this move frees him up to return to FRINGE?

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