Three of Glee’s major characters will be leaving the show at the end of Season Three. Cory Monteith (Finn), Leah Michelle (Rachel) and Chris Colfer (Kurt) will graduate from McKinley High at the end of this year, Ryan Murphy, the show’s director, revealed last week on Twitter.
Murphy says he is trying to keep the show realistic. He says Finn, Rachel and Kurt were in Grade Ten in Season One, so it follows that three years later they should be graduating.
Co-star Amber Riley, who plays Mercedes, says she and her fellow cast members understand. Talking about Murphy’s decision, Riley said, “I think everyone’s pretty OK with it…It’s been absolutely amazing, but I don’t want to be a 30-year-old high school student either!”
However, it seems Murphy didn’t talk with all the departing actors before he made the Twitter announcement. Chris Colfer says that while he knew his character might have to leave, he wasn’t aware anything had been decided until he read the tweet. And Murphy admits he didn’t consult with Cory Monteith at all about the possibility that Finn would graduate.
You can still catch Rachel, Kurt and Finn for one more season, though. Mark your calendars—Season Three premieres on September 20.