The series regular on Homeland, who has been a cast member for all four seasons of the Emmy-winning Showtime drama, will be leaving the show as a full-time series regular at the end of this season.
It has been a gradual shift for Morena Baccarin, who saw her role diminish in Homeland’s third season. She was pregnant for much of production in the current season and her character became more of a way for the show develop the character Dana’s storyline.
Morgan Saylor, who plays Dana, will also see her role downgraded, TV Line reported.
This likely comes as more of a surprise to Homeland fans, as Dana took on a greater role in the drama with the extended absence of Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis).
“Because Brody was not onscreen and not part of the story in those first couple of episodes, we really wanted to tell the aftermath of the bombing in a more personal way,” Homeland showrunner Alex Gansasaid of the decision to focus on Dana, according to The Hollywood Reporter.“The relationship between Dana and her father is very strong. It’s stronger than his relationship with Jessica and certainly stronger than his relationship with [son] Chris [Jackson Pace].”
The 34-year-old Baccarin found breakout success in her role as Jessica Brody, garnering an Emmy nomination this year. Before Hiomeland, Morena had her first big break in the short-lived but fan favorite series Firefly.
In October the actress gave birth to her first child, a son named Julius.
Fans get their last chance to see Morena Baccarin as a series regular in the Season 3 finale of Homeland, which airs Sunday. She may not be gone for good, however — reports say the show is keeping the option of bringing her back as a guest star.