Four original cast members are reportedly not returning as regulars for Glee's fifth season.

 

Heather Morris (Brittany), Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Harry Shum Jr (Mike) may still make guest appearances in the new run, according to TVLine.

 

Puck, Mercedes and Mike all graduated at the end of season three, while Brittany got into MIT at the end of season four.

 

Dianna Agron (Quinn), who had an infrequent presence in season four, is also said to be either absent or appearing as a guest star in the upcoming episodes.

 

Glee was given a two-year pick-up by Fox in April, meaning it will continue into at least a fifth and sixth season.

 

Season five begins on Fox in the US on Thursday, September 19.

 

Given the season finale, it's no shock that Brittany won't be back although still sad as she's been a star :( Mercedes and Mike barely appeared anyway and neither are a great loss, Mercedes is a shadow of her former self. Puck is a sad loss too, good character.

Heather might return once she's had her baby, but it's understandable why she's not there for the majority!

The stories I've read about this all make a fuss over nothing - it's silly that Mike, Mercedes and Puck were even classed as 'regulars' rather than guest stars last season anyway. :lol: Brittany will be the only noticeable difference and she wasn't as great recently, there are plenty of other characters.

And now Melissa Benoist (Marley), Jacob Artist (Jake), Becca Tobin (Kitty), Blake Jenner (Ryder) and Alex Newell (Unique), who were all in season 4 more than Mercedes, Mike and Puck, have all been promoted to series regular status. :lol:

 

Jayma Mays has also landed a series regular role on a new CBS comedy but she's not a massive part of Glee anymore anyway.

This honestly doesn't surprise me at all.

 

I expected Dianna, Mark, Amber and Harry to be given lesser roles because that's what they were given in S4, and Dianna seems busy with other projects.

 

As for Heather, with the baby that's to be expected but I will miss Brittany, she's my favourite female character. :(

Sad to see Mercedes go. She's one of the 'original' five.

I can't say I'm surprised that Mercedes is the first of the 'original five' to go. Tina hasn't yet graduated and the other three are the favourites!

Burt and Emma will still be appearing infrequently in season five, although Jayma Mays has said that this will be her last season.