In January, it emerged that Misfts‘ Lauren Socha had been charged with racial assault. After being sentenced for her crimes yesterday, it has been announced that the BAFTA-winning actress will not be returning for the show’s fourth series.
Socha, who portrayed fan-favourite Kelly in the British superhero comedy drama was sentenced to a four-month suspended sentence yesterday at the Derby Crown Court. She will also serve a supervision order, complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,100 in compensation and prosecution costs for racially aggravated assault against a taxi driver last October.
Misfits broadcaster Channel 4 confirmed the news. “A mutual decision was reached between Clerkenwell and Lauren earlier this year that she would not be returning for the fourth series,” a press release stated. “Misfits has been in production for a number of weeks now and Lauren is not part of the lineup.”
Digital Spy asked a Channel 4 spokesperson if the departure had anything to do with Socha’s conviction.
“No. Clerkenwell Films and Lauren Socha agreed some time ago that along with other cast members, including Iwan Rheon and Antonia Thomas, she would not be returning for the fourth series of Misfits, which is currently in production. Channel 4 supports both parties’ decisions.”
The news doesn’t come as all that big a surprise after we revealed a casting call for three new main characters in February. Iwan Rheon and Antonia Thomas (who portrayed Simon and Alisha respectively) announced in December that they would not be returning for the show. This means that Nathan Stewart-Jarret will be the only original cast member in the series 4 line-up, joined again by Joeseph Gilgun from series 3.
The fourth series is expected to air this autumn.
Do you think it’s right that Socha is no longer a part of the show? Is her departure linked to her crimes? How will her departure affect the show, given the amount of changes the show has undergone in the last year?
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