The Night Agent is losing a major cast member for season 3, which can shift the show majorly! What does it mean for hero Peter?
The Night Agent became one of Netflix’s biggest hits when it debuted in 2023. The thriller focuses on Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), an FBI agent assigned to a basement in the White House by a phone that never rings. Until one night it does, as cybersecurity expert Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) just saw her aunt and uncle murdered and needs help.
From there, the pair is thrust into a wild chase amid a conspiracy to attack the U.S. government. The second season had Peter recruited into Night Action, a top-secret division of U.S. intelligence. He and Rose had an on/off romance amid their adventures.
The Night Agent Season 3 is coming, but in a shocking move, it will be without Rose, meaning some big changes for Peter!
Why is Rose not coming back to The Night Agent?
Deadline broke the news that Luciane Buchanan will not be returning to season 3, with the actress giving a statement on leaving the series.
“I won’t be returning to Season 3 of The Night Agent. As much as that show has been so amazing, especially for my career — being a lead on a U.S. show from little New Zealand was such a whirlwind — the writers decided that they wanted to follow Peter and his journey based on what happened at the end of Season 2. And so, we don’t get to see what happens to Rose, but I think it’s a really exciting time for the show, and who knows, it’s not a goodbye forever.”
Buchanan further clarified that a major part of her decision was that Rose’s role in The Night Agent season 3 was being cut down, so showrunner Shawn Ryan might have made her a “sub-character. I totally respected that decision and agreed. I was like, if it makes sense to a story, I’ll do that. If it doesn’t, let’s not force that.”
Ryan added his own statement that confirmed working in Rose would have been more difficult this season, and while hating to see her go, it seemed better than forcing her in.
“Luciane has been a beloved member of our Night Agent family for our first two seasons and her portrayal of Rose Larkin and Rose’s relationship with Peter has been a huge part of the show’s success. We always envisioned the show as telling a new story each season with a revolving cast, and the story we broke for Season 3, much to our chagrin, didn’t have a satisfying place for Rose.”
This may be jarring to fans, yet it can work for the storyline. The Night Agent season 2 finale had Peter given a new assignment to get closer to corrupt billionaire Jacob Monroe, who could have been tied to a terrorist threat and exerting influence on the incoming President.
A big scene in the finale had Peter and Rose discussing their relationship, with Peter breaking up with her for Rose’s own safety, as being connected to Peter is too dangerous for them. That makes it logical that Rose wouldn’t be in The Night Agent season 3 with Peter on his own for his secret assignment infiltrating Monroe’s circle.
While it’s sad to see Rose gone, it may be better for the story to have her absent rather than shoehorning some small appearance in. Far worse would be having her show up only to get killed off, a tragic turn that would hurt the series far more. It seems the showrunners have a good vision for season 3, and Buchanan is leaving on good terms with the possibility she could make a cameo in the future.
So The Night Agent season 3 has a shakeup in the cast but it might end up working out to keep up the show’s thrills.
The Night Agent is available to stream on Netflix.
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