Why did Dominic Purcell leave Legends of Tomorrow?

The actor’s Legends of Tomorrow contract is up at the end of season 7

Why did Dominic Purcell leave Legends of Tomorrow? 1

Update (April 17th, 2021): In a series of since-deleted Instagram posts, Dominic Purcell clarified that his contract with Legends of Tomorrow is only for six years, and not seven. He also announced that he is leaving the show as a series regular after season 6, but will come back “periodically” in season 7 of the time travel series.

Original Story (March 14th, 2021): A few days after The CW announced last month that it renewed Legends of Tomorrow for season 7, series star Dominic Purcell took to social media to reveal that he’ll be leaving the show after the said season.

In a since-deleted Instagram post, Purcell, who plays Mick Rory (aka Heat Wave) in the series, reminded fans that his contract is up at the end of season 7, and he’ll be exiting the show after that.

“I’ll give ya 1 more/stay honorable to my contract. #Season7,” the actor wrote, before thanking Warner Bros TV, DC Comics, and The CW for having him in the series. “It’s not lost on me how fortunate I am in a world full of turmoil and tragedy/nor the unfairness of life; that I prevail while others struggle… P.s. to celebrities/ rich people the ‘well off.’ We don’t wanna see how awesome your life is on social it’s not the time nor the place at present. Get a clue.”

This isn’t the first time Purcell has talked about his intention to honor his seven-season Legends of Tomorrow contract. In March 2020, the actor denied reports that he’s leaving the series anytime soon, as he intends to complete his contract.

“Addressing a few unsubstantiated rumors spread by various media outlets that I may exit [Legends of Tomorrow]. I have no intention of leaving Legends,” he wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post at the time. “I believe it to be a wonderful show that has earned its critically acclaimed status. It is enjoyed by many. I have 2 years remaining on my contract. I intend to honor that contract.”

While it’s always sad to see a cast member depart the series, the good news is that Legends of Tomorrow season 6 won’t premiere until this May, so fans have two more seasons featuring Purcell and his heat gun-wielding character.

Though it’s too early to tell how Mick’s story will wrap up, it won’t be surprising if he’ll leave the Waverider for good to work as a full-time romance writer and to spend more time with his daughter, Lita (Mina Sundwall).

Of course, fans may not be only saying goodbye to Purcell if Legends of Tomorrow season 7 ends up as the show’s final season. While it’s not clear when the series will exactly come to an end, it’s worthy to point out that Supergirl ― which premiered just a few months before Legends of Tomorrow launched in 2016 ― is ending this year, so it’s possible that the time-travel superhero series will also conclude soon.

But in the event The CW renews Legends of Tomorrow for season 8 and Purcell does leave after season 7, that makes Caity Lotz the only original cast member to be still part of the show ― that is, of course, assuming she would be back for season 8.

Purcell, who rose to prominence for his role as Lincoln Burrows on Fox’s Prison Break, made his first appearance as Mick in 2014’s season 1, episode 4 of The Flash. He was then introduced as one of the original main cast members of Legends of Tomorrow in January 2016.

Legends of Tomorrow season 6 is set to premiere on Sunday, May 2nd at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. Outside of Arrowverse, Purcell will be next seen in the action-suspense horror film Blood Red Sky which will premiere on Netflix later this year.

Purcell isn’t the only Legends of Tomorrow cast member who left the series before its finale. Find out why his co-stars Franz Drameh, Brandon Routh, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers exited the show.

Sources: Cinema Blend, CarterMatt, CBR