TVSquad

I'm starting to sound like a broken record. In the past two months, I've written four stories about series regulars wanting out of their contract or getting fired: Brooke Smith fired from Grey's Anatomy, a major TV star about to get axed but who doesn't know it yet, T.R. Knight wanting out of Grey's, Michael Cassidy leaving Privileged. Well, add a fifth story to this list: Balthazar Getty will not be a series regular next season if ABC's Brothers and Sisters is renewed for a fourth season.

Slights spoilers about Brothers & Sisters coming up!

According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, the actor was informed last week that he would no longer be a series regular comes next season but that he could remain on the show in a recurring capacity. Getty's representative claims that the actor is not leaving Brothers and Sisters but that doesn't mean Ausiello's scoop isn't accurate. Maybe the rep is just saying that while the actor and the series are in talks about that recurring capacity option because, if he does sign as a recurring, Getty would be, in a way, not leaving the series.

Rumors about the actor's possible exit have been roaming the web for weeks. Some fans even think he is the person at the center of the "Which TV star is about to get axed and doesn't know it yet?" post I published earlier this month. Let's see if he matches the clues Ausiello gave back then:

• "They should squint extra hard" - Getty does squint a lot.
  

• "Original cast member of a hit series" - He has been part of B&S since day 1.

• "A combo platter of budget cuts and creative redirection..." - Most shows have to do some budget cuts. As for creative redirection, it's no secret that Tommy Walker, played by Getty, is not a fan favorite. So removing him from the storylines would make sense.
  

• "said performer was never going to win any popularity contests with their co-stars" - Ausiello says that Getty's co-stars have been getting close to his wife and their children and that Getty's relationship with Sienna Miller put him at odds with his costars. Supposedly, Getty has also been showing up late to work and become rather difficult to work with.
  

• "MVP" - I don't think Getty is a MVP on B&S but then again, since he is a Walker and a series regular I guess he could be tapped as a MVP.
  

• "the regular's ..." - Getty is a series regular.
  

• "Although death has cast a shadow over many a plot, this personality's demise would probably be deemed too morbid, even for this show." - I guess the "death has cast a shadow" means the death of papa Walker. What's interesting is Ausiello writes this in his post about Getty not being a regular next season: "In any case, don't expect Tommy to exit by way of a casket. Although an ABC insider says the idea of killing off a Walker has been discussed, the network would likely view such a twist as 'too morbid.'" See the "too morbid" part? Those are the exacts words Ausiello used in his post about the TV star not knowing they were about to get axed... coincidence?

• "The performer is over 30." - Getty is 33 years old.

• "the show s/he stars on does not air on FOX or The CW." - Brothers & Sisters airs on ABC.
  

It does look like Balthazar Getty could be that TV star about to get axed and who didn't know at the time, eh? Personally, I don't care if Getty stays or goes. Tommy is not a character I enjoy that much but he is a Walker. Having him become a recurring could be good for the show as it would free up some money to bring in fresh blood and the Walker clan could still reunite a few times a year.

Before he leaves the show or becomes a recurring guest star, Getty will have plenty to do as Tommy Walker. As hinted in our Spoilers Anonymous features, Tommy will secretly buy shares from Ojai in order to give power back to the Walkers and send Holly packing. His actions may not be totally legal as Tommy is said to have to face a judge at some point. As you can see, it looks like Tommy will go out with a bang!

Will Getty's departure be good for the series? Do you think he should stay on as a recurring guest star? Share your opinion in comments below.