Sullivan’s Crossing has been renewed for a fifth season expected to premiere in 2027, but Scott Patterson won’t return. With Sully’s story now severed from the present-day cast, the show’s next chapter depends on how it keeps Maggie’s world intact without him.
For a show built on shifting relationships. Sullivan’s Crossing is heading toward its next big turn with one of its most recognizable faces missing. The series—based on the book series by Robyn Carr—has already been renewed for a fifth season expected to premiere in 2027 on CTV. with the run unfolding in Canada first before following up with episodes on The CW and then on Netflix once the show wraps up on cable.
But the question fans keep circling right now isn’t whether Season 5 is coming. It’s how the show plans to move forward after Scott Patterson, who plays Sully, stepped away before the Season 4 premiere.
Patterson’s exit broke the kind of news that sends shockwaves through a devoted fanbase. Ahead of Season 4, Us Weekly reported in March 2026 that Scott Patterson would not be reprising his role. The show’s story had already placed Sully on a different path: “Season 3 of Sullivan’s Crossing ended with Sully leaving for Ireland. ” and “Season 4 picks up the next day. with Sully still overseas. ” as series actor Roth shared with Us.
Roth also said Patterson wouldn’t be physically present in the season while emphasizing the character’s lingering significance: “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.”.
That explanation didn’t match what Patterson later made clear through his own words. After Us Weekly broke the casting news, Patterson hinted at what he said led to his departure. Writing via Instagram. he said. “The creative differences were becoming untenable and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.”.
Patterson later added that his intention hadn’t been to walk away in the way that was being framed. He clarified in another Instagram message that it wasn’t always his decision to leave and disputed the idea that the show simply moved on from him/Sully. “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 wrote. He added. “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.”.
On-screen, Sullivan’s Crossing centers on neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan) returning to her hometown in rural Nova Scotia. The premise has always braided romance. family tension. and community ties—Maggie reconnecting with her estranged father Sully. newcomer Cal (Chad Michael Murray). and others in the town. Now. with Patterson’s portrayal of Sully removed from the present-day flow of Season 4. Kohan said the cast had to adjust to new dynamics.
Kohan described what it felt like to build around the absence. “It’s interesting. There are always going to be different dynamics,” she told Us. “One of the things that came out of not having Sully on the show was we did get all these wonderful new characters too.”
She also leaned into the creative opportunities the change opened up. “It’s really nice” to introduce new relationships on the show. she said. adding that she “really” enjoyed getting to “do the flashbacks and really seeing the younger version of Maggie.” Kohan said those sequences let viewers watch Maggie “fully letting go and just going with what was happening in front of her … I’ve really loved getting to see.”.
Taken together. the messages from the cast point to the same reality: the series can keep going. but the emotional geography of Maggie’s story has shifted. Sully’s absence may be temporary in the way the show’s world can reference him. but Patterson’s own account makes clear that his exit is not something fans should treat like a simple plot pause.
Season 5 is expected—renewal already secured, premiere timed for 2027 on CTV—but the next season’s success will likely depend on whether Sullivan’s Crossing can preserve what made Sully essential while building a new momentum for Maggie’s life without him in the mix.
Sullivan’s Crossing Season 5 CTV The CW Netflix Scott Patterson Morgan Kohan Sully Maggie Robyn Carr