Unforgotten, a British series created by Chris Lang, has long been regarded as one of the best crime drama shows. Since its debut in 2015, the show has received praise from fans for its meticulous storytelling, which appeals to both crime mystery enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It has thus far spanned six seasons and introduced various memorable characters portrayed by renowned actors, notably Nicola Walker, who has been the drama’s heart and soul.
In the series, Walker plays Cassandra Stuart, a Detective Chief Inspector who leads a team of investigators at the Bishop Street Station. In her portrayal of Cassie Stuart, the actor has set an incredibly high standard, leaving viewers with a void after her departure from the show. This brings us to the main subject: why did Nicola Walker leave the highly popular cop procedural series? Is there any standard reason behind this unforeseen departure?
What Happened to Cassie Stuart in ‘Unforgotten’?
Cassie Stuart has been an intriguing character for the first four seasons, investigating long-buried secrets with her professional partner, Detective Sergeant Sunil Khan. While working as an investigator, she also juggled family responsibilities, proving yet again that she is not only a great cop character but also a well-written human being. However, the Season 4 finale left viewers a bad taste in their mouths, as Cassie Stuart dies in an off-screen car accident, leaving the world of Unforgotten forever, although as the show’s best character.
Her death was further emphasized through the heartfelt conversation between Sunny and Martin, along with the moment when Sunny placed flowers on her grave. It was an unexpected turn of events, as such an important character was written off in a seemingly simple manner, but for many, it was a defining moment — one that forced them to come to terms with the fact that she would no longer be part of the story moving forward. So, what exactly led to Walker’s departure after Season 4?
Walker’s Exit Was Planned Beforehand
As much as rumors suggest differences between Nicola Walker and the creators, the actor’s exit from the series was planned from the beginning. Walker told Radio Times that Cassie’s story was meant to emotionally hurt her, causing her to break down. However, the writers decided to bring her character to a conclusion in the fourth season. In Walker’s words:
“From the very beginning, we talked about Cassie’s story being finite; Chris was always putting her through a story arc that would damage her emotionally. The buzzword was that she was an empath, and the problem with being an empath is that eventually, you break. I felt that to have her keep coming back would make her seem like a superhero. So it was very much a joint and long-planned decision.”
“But on reflection – we all feel the same – if we’d known COVID was coming, we would have given people a less depressing storyline. I feel guilty because, when it came out, I thought, ‘Crikey, we could have given them something more cheerful. The last thing they need is to be made to feel really sad about this brilliant cop’. It was simply that Chris and I thought it was a fantastic, impactful story.”
In addition to expressing guilt over her departure from the series, the actor stated that she wanted to dispel rumors about leaving the show due to conflicts, but she was not on any social media at the time. Apparently, Walker almost wanted to join X (formerly Twitter) to remind everyone that she did not walk away from the show, nor did anyone ask her to.
One of the main reasons Walker’s exit did not sit well with the fans was because the Season 4 ending was abrupt and felt rushed. Fans thought her story might have ended outside the main crime story, but since it was a random car accident that resulted in the death of Cassie Stuart, it’s not surprising that they believe the writers made the wrong choice.
Will Walker Return as Cassie Stuart in ‘Unforgotten’?
Even though it’s been four years since Walker left Unforgotten, fans are nonetheless enthusiastic about her potential comeback because her dynamic with Sunny Khan and evolution through the episodes has been nothing short of phenomenal. Unfortunately, there has been no official confirmation that Walker would ever return to the series, particularly given the show’s new direction that prioritizes other cases and characters.
The creators have also emphasized several times that they intend to move the narrative ahead without focusing on Cassie’s life but by honoring her legacy as an essential character in the show. Furthermore, Walker has moved on to other projects in recent years, including Doctor Who and The Split, but she is grateful to people who wish to reprise her role as Cassie, which is impossible given her off-screen death in Unforgotten Season 4.
While it may be possible to bring her back, there was no on-screen scene of Cassie’s death; therefore, it would be pointless at this point and would involve far too many complications for the creators. So, it’s safe to say that Cassie’s journey in Unforgotten has come to an end, and Walker’s return is far from possible.
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2025-03-16 01:45