TV Shows Impacted by Budget Concerns: Understanding Cast Changes
Budget-cutting measures are having an impact on scripted television, leading to reduced screen time for main cast members on various shows.
Across the franchises of NBC’s Law & Order and One Chicago, numerous cast departures have been noted over the years. With fan-favorite characters leaving Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D., NBC’s president of program planning, Jeff Bader, shared his thoughts on the franchise’s ongoing changes.
“Cast comes in, cast goes out,” Bader explained in a July 2024 interview with TVLine. “It’s interesting. Every year sees cast changes, and people continuously ask about the status of the One Chicago universe. But the shows persist.”
Bader emphasized the success of each Chicago series, stating, “We’re thrilled with how the Chicagos perform on Wednesday. We have no plans to alter anything on that night.”
Meanwhile, at CBS, Fire Country and the FBI universe are dealing with reduced minimum guarantees, in addition to the exits of Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila.
“It’s a fire show. Anyone can go at any time,” showrunner Tia Napolitano mentioned in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in October 2025 regarding character exits. “We’re also introducing exciting guest stars, creating conflict and new twists.”
Continue reading for a detailed overview of how major TV shows have been impacted:
‘Fire Country’
Season 3 of the CBS series concluded on a cliffhanger in the April 2025 finale, leaving the fates of three characters uncertain. Shortly after the episode aired, it was revealed that budget cuts prompted Burke and Arcila’s departures.
“I had no idea ever. But I understand this industry’s dynamics and have accepted that when one door closes, another opens,” Arcila told Us at the time. “Life brings us an eternal door of desires, and resistance can hinder our ability to embrace new things.”
While Burke has not publicly commented on his exit, his character, Vince, was killed off-screen.
‘One Chicago’
During the same month Fire Country experienced cast changes, it was revealed that Daniel Kyri would not return as a series regular for season 14. Jake Lockett, who portrayed Sam Carver, also departed after joining the NBC series in 2022.
Deadline reported in April 2025 that these exits were “part of an effort to reduce the budget” amidst “rumors of cuts across Wolf Entertainment’s NBC series.”
‘Law & Order: SVU’
Before season 27, it was announced in May 2025 that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Aidén Martinez would be leaving, though no specific reasons were provided. Law and Order: SVU welcomed back Kelli Giddish that same season after her exit from the show in 2022. Giddish made guest appearances in seasons 25 and 26 before being confirmed as a series regular again.
Ice-T subsequently acknowledged his reduced presence due to Giddish’s return.
“It’s just basically business,” he explained to TMZ in November 2025 regarding his limited role. “Kelli was brought back, and they couldn’t keep both of us on full-time due to budget constraints.”
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
In season 22, significant changes were reported, with Deadline indicating in fall 2025 that minimum guarantees for veteran cast members were reduced from 18 appearances per season to 14. This meant that several regular stars would not appear in four episodes each, while Caterina Scorsone exited for eight episodes.
‘FBI’ Universe
In a cost-saving measure in 2024, FBI and FBI: Most Wanted also saw minimum guarantees cut by two episodes. Although FBI: International remained unaffected, it was ultimately canceled in 2025 along with FBI: Most Wanted.
