Toward the end of the , it was announced that Diane Neal was departing the cast. Days later, it was rumored that she had been fired from the series; Neal noting that she "did talk to the crew" about her departure. However, she declined to say whether she was fired. "Rumors are rumors [...] I love the crew. The crew loves me. We've really gotten along and bonded over these past five years. And they're always looking out for me and watching my back."