Sullivan's Crossing Season 4 Already Proves Why Sully Needs To Be Recast

WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT SULLIVAN'S CROSSING SEASON 4!There's only been one episode of Sullivan's Crossing season 4 so far, but it's already clear that the role of Sully should be recast after Scott Patterson's exit in order to bring the character back to the show. Patterson left Sullivan's Crossing after three seasons as Harry "Sully" Sullivan due to creative differences. On the show, Sully left Timberlake because he traveled to Ireland with his girlfriend, Helen Culver (Kate Vernon), leaving behind his daughter, Dr. Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan) and all of his friends.

When Patterson left the show, Sullivan's Crossing showrunner and executive producer Roma Roth made it clear that the door was open for the character to return in future seasons. This means that Sully will continue to live his life off-screen, with the potential for him to return in the future. Because Patterson seems to have permanently cut ties with the show, it's important that the role is recast sooner than later.

Sully Is The Heart Of Sullivan's Crossing

While the title of the show, Sullivan's Crossing, has many meanings, including the setting of the series and the crossroads in Maggie's life, it's undeniable that Sullivan also refers to Sully, who's the heart of the show. His character has been through so much throughout the past three seasons, from realizing that he wasn't the driver of the car that hit Lola Gunderson (Amalia Williamson) all those years ago, to almost losing the Crossing due to bankruptcy. Sully has grown and changed as a person, especially as he's reconnected with his daughter, Maggie.

Sully's exit has left many loose ends, including his blossoming romance with Helen, which viewers will never see reach its full potential onscreen. Also, Sully won't be around to see Rob Shandon's (Reid Price) restaurant open and thrive at the old lodge on the grounds of the Crossing.

In addition, Sully's former nemesis, Glenn Perry (Dean Armstrong), had a change of heart, and instead of building luxury condominiums next to the Crossing, which would've been a major threat to the site, he wanted to make it a conservation area looked after by Sully. With Sully gone, the responsibility fell on Frank Cranebear (Tom Jackson) to make the decisions and file the paperwork.

Most importantly, Sully wasn't present when Maggie's husband, Liam Davies (Marcus Rosner), resurfaced. Although she thought that their marriage was annulled, the paperwork never went through, and so they're still married. It was so strange to see Maggie going through such a life-changing event without Sully's advice. While Cal has been her rock through it so far, it's awkward for them because he's also her boyfriend. Sully would've been the ideal person to confide in about her true feelings about the situation. His absence left a void in all of the characters' lives that needs to be filled by bringing him back to the show.

Another Actor Could Easily Step Into The Role Of Sully

Even though it might be hard for some fans to imagine anyone but Patterson as Sullivan's Crossing's Sully, another actor could easily step into the role, especially if some time passed before the recast took place. Patterson didn't end things on good terms with the show, so he'll most likely never come back to it. In an Instagram post about his exit, Patterson wrote that, although he fell in love with the character of Sully, the creative differences were becoming "untenable" for him, and he couldn't agree to continue with the series.

Patterson added that it was "unfortunate" that the people involved with the production of the show implied that they moved on from him when they knew that the "complete opposite" was true. He added that he didn't intend to make a statement, but "the fans deserved better" than to think that he would disrespect not only the show, but them. He concluded by saying,"I'll always support and defend the truth." These strong words seem to indicate that Patterson is done with Sullivan's Crossing, and won't be open to returning.

Therefore, it makes sense that, after some time passes, another actor should portray Sully. Soap operas recast characters all the time, and some of the new actors are even better in the roles than the originals. Sully is needed on Sullivan's Crossing, and, if Patterson doesn't want to play him anymore, then a new actor would be the next best thing.

After just one episode of Sullivan's Crossing season 4, it's clear that Sully must eventually return to the show. It's not believable that he'd completely turn his back on the Crossing, even though he told Maggie that it was time for him to finally let himself go in a new direction, and his love for the Crossing wouldn't change because he went to Ireland with Helen. It's hard to imagine that Sully wouldn't visit Timberlake now and then, especially with Maggie there, so a recast is necessary. Sully is the heart of Sullivan's Crossing, and he needs to return in the future, even if it's without Patterson.

Source: Scott Patterson/Instagram