NCIS' Loses an IMPORTANT Cast Member!

The new season of NCIS: New Orleans is shaking things up.

Original cast member Zoe McLellan, who played Special Agent Meredith "Merri" Brody, will not be returning for season 3.

TV Line reports that the casting change comes as the result of a creative decision. McLellan's character couldn't stay on the NCIS team after having been compromised when she got involved with a corrupt Homeland Security agent at the end of season 2.

The plot line may have sent McClellan packing, but it did open the door for a new series regular. Vanessa Ferlito, who had a starring role on the now-canceled USA show Graceland, will play an FBI Special Agent who has to look into the team in the wake of Merri's mistake.

Those who are going to be watching Michael Weatherley's new show, Bull, can catch the first episode of the new season of NCIS: New Orleans right afterwards on September 20.

This story first appeared at Womanista.