Nicole Beharie Exits Sleepy Hollow: ‘Abbie’s Done All She’s Meant to Do’
The following story contains spoilers related to Friday’s Sleepy Hollow season finale. Proceed at your own peril.
Sleepy Hollow is not horsing around this time: Nicole Beharie has departed Sleepy Hollow following Abbie Mills’ very real death in Friday’s Season 3 finale.
In an exclusive statement to TVLine, Beharie says, “Sleepy Hollow has been an incredible experience in every way. I loved playing Abbie. It’s been such a gift to have taken this wild ride… Alas, ‘Abbie Mills has done all she was meant to do.’ I’m excited about what the show has in store for us next. I’m rooting for my co-stars and crew… they have been my inspiration, my teachers, family, my friends, over the last few seasons. I want to thank the fantastic producers, writers, and directors who have worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. I want to thank Fox for their faith and support. But, most of all, [I want to thank the] Sleepyheads for all of your love – what an honor. I will never be the same. Stay tuned.”
RELATED Sleepy Hollow EP Talks a Witness’ Death, [Spoiler]-Centric Season 4
Fox, 20th Century Fox and the producers of Sleepy Hollow issued a statement of their own, calling “the tragic death of Abbie Mills” a “bold move” for the series. “We feel we provided a wonderfully poignant conclusion for Abbie and showed some of the best moments between the Witnesses that we’ve seen on-screen. We thank Nicole Beharie for bringing Abbie and Sleepy Hollow to life. We are currently discussing Season 4, and should the series be picked up for another season, we have some exciting scenarios and new avenues we want to explore.”
Last November, Sleepy Hollow appeared to do away with Abbie in the fall finale, but Beharie’s witness turned up at the end of the midseason premiere alive and well. In an exclusive post mortem with Kim Roots, showrunner Clifton Campbell confirms that this time around Abbie “is dead,” adding, “We’ve had a terrific run with her. She’s been an absolute delight. She helped build out the mythology of the show, and we’ve had a tremendous run with her.”
That said, while “the character is gone,” Campbell hints that Beharie could make the occasional appearance in a potential Season 4 in some other form. “In Sleepy Hollow it’s always surprising to see how the reflections of one character or another can influence the show moving forward,” he teases.
Lastly, in case you’re wondering, yes, Abbie’s final exit was the subject of last month’s blind item.
Son of a bitch!!
Asking to get cancelled.
Don’t worry. Next season, FOX will schedule a series that we’ll all want to watch: “Betsy Ross–Fun with Flags!”
Lmao!!!
Laughing my white ass off!
U jealous?
😂😂😂😂👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Lol. Sounds like fun.
Now THAT was funny
Ba-zinga!
Lol.. So much for the no cursing rule huh
I could see this at the beginning of tonight’s episode. I’m still in shock, and don’t know what to say, except, no wonder FOX wouldn’t say anything about whether or not this show was being renewed. I’m so broken hearted after tonight, I don’t even know if I want to see anymore anyway.
I agree
Im with you I hate that Abbie and Joe are gone!
So do I 😢
I didn’t like that fact that two main characters were gone, but are they…….
I will watch just to see who will be the next witness…. I enjoy watching this show, that you.
She wasn’t just a main character, she was the co-lead. The entire premise of the show was built around two Witnesses: Abbie and Ichabod and their relationship. The show threw out its own canon in the finale in order to add further insult to a character and actress that it had nothing but disdain for from day one.
I don’t know anyone who works on the show personally but I’ve heard most of the cast wants to leave because they hate the show and think it’s torpedoing their careers. I don’t know about Nicole Beharie in particular (though I have heard rumors about another castmember being vocal behind-the-scenes) but I would guess she asked to be released like Orlando Jones did. That just seems to be the most likely scenario to me.
We liked Joe, too. He gave a great quality to the show. The husband says, “I don’t know what they’re trying to do the show. It used to be up there with Grimm. Now it’s just grim.”
The husband and I are so upset we deleted the recording, not even wanting to watch it.
I also agree. I will never watch again. She made the also.
She made the show I mean.
I shall miss Abbie mills. Don’t think the show will be the same.
Never watching again.
I agreeditto
Ditto! Their chemistry was all that held this S3 reboot together. This new villainous couple was horrid, and SH without Headless was already stupid enough. The lead actress was never in our European promos, seriously, not since S2a….if you weren’t a fan, you’d have thought her character didn’t even exist! Everyo e saying it was HER decision is clueless as the day they were born. Surely you all have known an employer to push out an employee, make things so unbearable that they leave, especially in the real world so they won’t have to pay their unemployment or a negotiated severance package (like my parachute is set up to be forfeited if I quit versus being fired). I don’t have much leisure time, as my career is high-powered, but I now feel I wasted my damn time & money committing to S3 paid downloads to view over here in Danmark. Even with her departure, it could have been written better. Now what?? So that George Washington created the American FBI?? Lol! So what, now Crane will be the director of a supernatural division of the bureau?? XFiles?? Garbage!!
She was never in the European promos?! That makes no sense. I hope they can get her back somehow.
No, can you believe it??? She was only on the posters, but in the background, you know sort of standing at equal positions with the rest if the cast….Ichabod stood in front and Headless hovers in a huge shadow over everyone. But when I work in the States a few months a year, the promos have Ichabbie. Strange you know?? When I first started watching it, I was shocked to see she was the other STAR the way it was advertised over here. As if they thought we Europeans wouldn’t watch it with people of colour…lol, we are more diverse in England and Northern Europe than the States and less intolerant, so it is funny how dumb those producers are and how they are clueless! Anyway, I hate I even started watching…my Nigerian coworker told me it was good. Oh well….I need to watch less shows after work anyway.
Do you know anyone who works on the show? How do you know for a fact it was not her who wanted to leave? Because I know people who work at Fox TV and I’ve heard some things that lead me to believe it was her who asked to be released. Why do you think they got rid of Irving? Orlando Jones wanted to leave. He felt like the show was bad for his career and he was probably right. In fact from what I’ve heard from some people I know is that most of the cast feels that way. Do you know something I don’t?
Why would the show be bad for there careers?
Orlando confirmed that he was asked to leave.
She did ask to leave because the show or the people behind it didn’t treat her equally. Tho she’s the main character together with Tom, she was treated just like another regular characters. Orlando & Nicole probably demands equal treatment but didn’t get it. So yeah, they leave. The thing I’m pissed off is the Power That Be probably don’t care because they think Nicole/Abbie is easily replaceable. Idiots.
I’m in shock too and very angry!! Didn’t expect this!! I feel like I wasted my time and energy watching this show!! I will not watch it again because the relationship between Crane and Abby was what made me watch Sleepy Hollow. Without the two characters together there is no show!!!
I agree.
I agree! am very disappointed with the decision to kill Abbie off. makes no sense i mean its like they want to kill the show or something
I agree, after seeing her death, I was like are you kidding me? They were the main reason why I watched the show, their chemistry was amazing. What a waste of time, all this build up for nothing …. terrible. Fox should just cancel it.
AMEN!
Just like tvd !!! They have screwed the show!
Sometimes, the show itself is screwed, and one or more of the leads realize it. They want to jump ship before the whole thing bottoms out. Beharie wanted to leave while she still had some heat that would help her get other jobs. No one ever says that they want out, publicly at least, for fear of alienating fans.
.
But, given the mess that SH had devolved into, I can’t imagine Beharie is losing much sleep over this. She established herself as a beautiful, talented, likeable actress. She’ll have another job. Soon.
TVD got SO dumb. Half the cast was a vampire and the rest of it was a werewolf. Then Caroline and freakin Stephan? No just no. I’m not watching anymore trash.
Yeah I’m pretty much done with the show now and I suspect a lot of other people will be too. It doesn’t work without both Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie and this was an incredibly stupid decision.
And you’re basing that assertion on what evidence?
Check out previouslytv.com. Almost every post is “if this is picked up for another season I won’t be there.” Every post was angry. The best thing about the show was the chemistry between Crane and Abbie.
There are always angry fans claiming to stop watching if an the like actor leaves, or a character they dislike stays, or there’s a change in any way from what they want. Then the show’s ratings don’t dip, or they improve the next season. Fans blow off steam all the time. Nothing wrong with that, but rarely do I see it matter for the show itself.
Maybe to you, her death is unimportant. But Abbie Mills mattered to a lot of fans, especially black female fans. Nicole Beharie mattered as one of a rare few black actresses to lead a sci-fi/supernatural show. Yes, characters die/exit shows all the time; that wasn’t the case here. Her bosses made it so that she had no choice but to leave. Imagine how unhappy she was to have wanted out as early as the S2 finale? She wasn’t just some secondary character or a guest star; she was the female lead and a Witness. Which we were made to believe, up until the S3 finale, were Abbie and Ichabod. Added to this is the way her death was staged and the assertion that her story was solely about guiding her partner to his destiny, and you see why fans are upset and outraged. Plus the partnership, bond, and friendship between the lead characters was dismantled in such a cheap, unhand, and lazy way. Not only was it disrespectful to Abbie and Nicole, but to her fans who were loyal to the show for the past three years.
You sure to add a lot of animus when I stated nothing to what you’re ranting about. Calm down. Take a breath. Jeez.
Sleepy Hollow trending #1 last night, for hours, mourning over the loss and asserting the chemistry between the partners as one of their fave things about the show is pretty great evidence.
THIS!
Exactly Emily!! Even S1 critics said their chemistry was the main reason such a loony concept even worked at all.
I’m sad and annoyed at Nicole’s departure, but there are a bunch of questions I want answered if they get renewed for a Season 4. Like what does the government want with Crane? What was the deal Mr. Mills made with Sheriff Corbin and what other information does he have about the whole Witness thing. I’d watch that for awhile if it was interestingly enough presented, though it obviously won’t be the same without Nicole.
I hope Nicole goes on to bigger and better things but I am out if the show’s renewed for another season. That was the final straw. There are no words for how furious I am right now.
Agreed!
I agree
totally agree, the dynamic duel team of tom and nicole is what made the show. I won’t be watching next season.
Totally agree!!!
I agree. The chemistry was great. I am curious to see how the new witness will come into play, though.
The actress playing Abagail leaving?!!! Writers will have to have one heck of a season opener for me to continue watching the series without Nicole….smh
I have never been more disgusted by as show: it’s writers, showrunners and the network that coveted and fed these vipers, in my entire life.
You know what. I really am done. I have no desire to watch this show without Abbie Mills. What a terrible idea to kill her
Nikki Beharie quit… Don’t you get that? It’s not their fault.
It is their fault. It is not a simple “she quit out of nowhere”. Had they treated Nicole better, we wouldn’t be here now. Is it really too much to ask that a Black actress be treated fairly and be given work and attention as the LEAD actress on the show?? I forgot, for some of you it is. I have NEVER seen a show so blatantly keep the two lead actors from being great together. They squashed their chemistry so fast it was ridiculous. Screw Fox, screw this show and I hope that Nicole and Tom move on to bigger and better things then this pile of crap with writers that actually care about telling a GOOD story….like they had in season 1. Done.
Sounds like to me your pissed off they didn’t hook up. Nicole is the lead and she wasn’t mistreated. How was she not given work or attention as the lead. If something happened nearly every time it happened to her.
Except that if you look into it, Fox treated Nicole terribly. I mean, hell, just ask the OTHER black actor who left the show. He’s been pretty vocal about it.
Well said!
My sister and I were JUST talking about that!
Leave it to FOX to perpetuate the cycle…HATERS!
How does race play into this exactly? It seems to just be horrible writing.
No, they mistreated her behind the scenes. The poor writing was just another problem that stemmed from their trying to replace her as lead with Katrina. The rumour was they thought a white female lead would bring in an even bigger audience than the 8 million they had in S1. It is called GREED my friend. Bad intel had them believing only males and coloured females watched, but later learned MORE white females watched than those of colour. Just Google it, you will find a lot of info out there. She was forced out by mistreatment.
They were saying she was not happy behind the scenes. One can be made uncomfortable and forced out of situations as well… let’s not pretend everything is “left” or “right”.
I would agree with you if that were true. Neither her statement nor Fox’s statement indicated that Abbie was killed off because Nicole decided to leave. Usually, the actor gives some reason for deciding to leave a show, even if the reason may not be the whole truth. Her statement did not. In fact, there was a curious use of the pronoun “us” as in what they have “in store for us” as if she still identifies herself as being part of the show still. So for me, it’s their fault that she’s not anymore.
Employees are forced out of jobs by the thousands everyday. Semantics son! She wasn’t even used in our int’l promos or advertising since S2! They practically tried to replace her with Crane’s wife in S2, but fan backlash made them try again. She quit, she was pushed out, all the same. The show was already done anyway, it is officially OVER now.
I won’t be watching sleepy hollow again, it’s seems when our black actresses get lead roles they seem to always leave the show dead.
Oh please, don’t bring race into it.
She is free to post any observation she has. Just because you don’t agree doesn’t change that.
First off, I respect Ms Green’s observation. I just don’t see it her way.
I am free to post my opinion. Just because YOU, nutmegfreak, didn’t like my response to someone else’s observation doesn’t change that. Just like it doesn’t change your I’ll advised defense.
Peace Out!
Perhaps you should keep it to your observation rather than DEMANDING that someone limit theirs to topics you feel comfortable about.
You didn’t post an observation/opinion. Nor did you post a disagreement. You posted 7 words, the gist of them being a demand that the the OP not post about a particular topic.
It has always been in it. Since the second season where just about EVERYTHING that made people love the show, changed.
The show went from ten million viewers in the first season to less than three million in the second. Since then it’s been on life support. The chemistry between Ichabod and Abbie is all that was holding it together. Since Abbbie is gone, there is no more show left.
Totally agree. There is nothing of interest or spark without Ichabod and Abbie together. Every time they were separated this season, the show was worse off.
Nicole wouldn’t have left if she was happy with the direction of the show and the part she played. They could have given us a much better story knowing she was leaving too. Much better.
Okay Lizz…with 2 Z’s…I’m SURE you’re not black.
Next thing you’ll be saying is “Slavery NEVER happened… where are the pictures/videos to prove it?!”
If you ARE black…then you’re CLEARLY in denial.
Her race had nothing to do with it. She was unhappy working on the show and wanted out. Did anyone say Anything about Katherine Heigl’s race when she wanted out of Grey’s Anatomy? No! Also, Recasting her role was not an option as fans would have never gone for it. I know people who have worked on the show and it’s one of the hardest productions to work. Not to mention that the first show runners were not favorites of the crew either. Even Tom Mison would only agree to do this past season if they changed his working schedule. Fans may be unhappy she’s gone, but it was her decision to be let out of her contract.
I can accept that Sleepy Hollow was a clever concept executed poorly. However it is frustrating to see that Nicole Beharie was used to create buzz for the show and then sidelined in season 2. If the writers of Sleepy Hollow were really clever and forward thinking they would have let Jenny and Abbie be the witnesses, considering they did most of the fighting, almost like a black Charmed or black Winchesters. The fact that they share the same bloodline and witness the same events has always been a major plot hole considering Crane never encountered Moloch. Crane actually didn’t witness anything other than what he saw as revealed by his past encounters with Washington.Crane could have been a watcher and been sent to the future to aid them. Katrina would have had a purpose beyond being a plot device and a damsel in distress.
Instead another show turned its black lead into a tool whose sole purpose in existing is to cater and sacrifice themselves without any of her needs met or acknowledged. Even if Nicole wanted to leave the show there is no excuse for how horrible a plot and concept this was.
It was indeed a very good concept that could have gone very far. Have you read the SH comic book? It is WAY better than the show, and they should’ve had whoever writes the comic to write the show. I have even read SH fanfiction that was ten times better. That whole katrina going evil, and Abbie going back in time could have been an entire season.
So, so naive.
From what the final episode told us witness-ness is passed through the blood line and Icabod now has to find the next witness who will be a close relation to Abbey. So by that logic they will be replacing a black actress that wanted to leave with another black actress. Not to mention the other main female character in the show is black. I don’t deny racism in entertainment but think Sleepy Hollow is doing okay here. Is the cry of racism because they didn’t hook up because I always felt their bond was bigger and more important than sex, sexual relationship on TV always lead to stupid fights and they were better than that.
No no no, I am sure that they will find some loophole through genealogy to make her either white or biracial. If the show is renewed, I bet you anything that is what they will do…
You are foolish to even think that.
No sir/miss, YOU are foolish to think that Hollywood wouldnt do something like that. Were you just born yesterday?
Its not about race… oh forget it. Disgusting the lot of you.
You can type that line all you want and as many times as you want… but it’s not going to change reality. I understand that race makes you uncomfortable, but your discomfort isnt going to stop other people from voicing their concerns and ending the discussion. If it makes you uncomfortable, go watch another show or join a different forum with other likeminded whiners. Step into reality, please!
Shame on the writers. I don’t believe for a second she left on her own. They have been pushing her out since season 2. F this show. I’m out.
She totally left the show of her own volition. She’s one of the original witnesses. They test drove her death earlier this season to see how we would take it… Story & ratings wise. Nikki wanted out & asked out of her contract
What’s your source for that assertion? I’ve seen it mentioned several times tonight but I never read anything indicating she wanted out before so I’m curious.
Did you not read the article? It says her goodbye verbatim above. Geeze,seriously ask for a source and your on the freaking page.
Calm down. They were just asking a simple question of weather there are other articles stating that Nicole quit you did not need to jump on them when they were not even talking to you
I read the article and it does not say that she chose to leave because she felt that Abbie’s story was done. The article is not a source unless it has identified or anonymous sources stating that she left because she wanted to be let out of her contract. We all knew Katherine Heigl chose to leave GA. In this instance, it is not clear that Nicole did the same.
Seems like she wanted out, whether there’s a season 4 or not. I’m not even really in the Sleepy Hollow fandom, but I could tell she wasn’t getting fair treatment. But Abby and Ichabod are this show and I guess I don’t care to see anymore of it. Amazing how a show with such a great pilot could fall so far.
I’m SO glad I stopped watching after that mess of season 2. I hope they just let Nicole Beharie go for good, she deserves so much better than this show. Why even bother renewing it after this? I highly doubt any of the fans that actually stuck around for season 3 are going to have any interest in watching without Abbie…
WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot even believe this. The whole show was the bond between crane and Abbie. I am furious. Why would they kill her?! This show is a joke. Stupid stupid stupid writers.
I don’t blame Nicole for leaving, but it’s probably the end of this show for me.
Sad to see Abbie go! Nicole Beharie has become my favourite actress and I’m truly upset that I won’t get to see her character on Sleepy Hollow anymore!
I’m upset here. I just don’t understand how Sleepy Hollow goes on without Abbie. I really dont. You need both Crane and Abbie here. Not Crane and a new witness. If that’s the case then why build the show around the partnership of these two specific individuals? I love Sleepy Hollow and I definitely dont want it canceled but this finale did not leave me with warm fuzzies.
Still in tears. I will miss Abbie! I wished he had said he loved her, at least once before the end.
Felt the same way
Sad, really sad no reason to watch any more.
So very sad to see her go. Thanks to Nicole for bringing Abbie to life so wonderfully. She’ll be deeply missed.
I wish Nicole the best in her next endeavors. I will be watching. As for Sleepy Hollow, I’ll probably check out the premiere (if it isn’t cancelled) to see where they go but I doubt I’ll follow along…. Abbie Mills is gone and probably, so am I….
No Abbie = no me. I won’t be watching if this show gets renewed.
Just……….there’s literally no words. I hope Nicole Beharie finds the success she deserves and the respect for her talent that she deserves. Because it wasn’t found on this show. Not one bit.
Why are they even entertaining another season. This show does not and will not work without Abby(Nicole) The bond, the friendship that Abby & Crane shared was something special and can’t be replicated. What did Nicole do to these writers to make them hate her so much? It’s obvious that they didn’t care for her since they have been sidelining and trying to push her out since last season.
I’m done. Won’t watch the show anymore without her. I personally think they shot themselves in the damn foot doing that at this point I honestly don’t care anymore if they get renewed or not.
EXACTLY!! I totally agree with u Sarah. I didn’t believe she wasn’t coming back. Had just told my daughter, “no way they’d kill off one of the 2 main characters!” Sadly I was very wrong. I’m pissed. The show started getting worse to me, not as interesting as the first season, but the relationship/chemistry of Abbie & Ichabod is what MADE the show & kept me coming back! Without one of them, no show! I could care less if they renew & won’t watch. The show will completely suck now!! If the writers made this decision, they screwed up royally as most people watched it to see BOTH of these characters!! Read these comments stupid writers!!!
It always seems obvious to us when the chemistry is what makes a show, but the Powers-that-Be in Hollywood always seem to think THEY are in control and can recreate it. Like, every female star is just so replaceable. It’s happened on so many shows – they are wrong every time – but they will never “get” it!