Legacies: Kaylee Bryant exits as a series regular

As of “I Can’t Be the One to Stop You,” Legacies loses another cast member. After four years, Kaylee Bryant is stepping away from her role of Josie Saltzman as a series regular.

Kaylee Bryant had been a critical player in Legacies from the beginning, portraying one of the show’s most central and significant characters. Likewise, Josie Saltzman has had quite the journey from season one, whether in her personal growth, dabbling in dark magic, or her striving for independence.

Josie’s final act in “I Can’t Be the One to Stop You” is a culmination of everything Josie had been working toward since discovering Hope had turned off her humanity and left the school. Her main storyline throughout season four followed Josie’s single-minded determination to find and save Hope. Finally, in the mid-season finale, Josie goes through with that plan, boarding a bus with a one-way ticket out of town, planning to find a way to save Hope.

However, if Kaylee Bryant is exiting Legacies, what does that mean for Josie’s storyline?

While there may be the chance of Josie returning to Legacies, considering the depth of Josie’s focus on saving Hope, it would not make sense for Josie to vanish and never reunite with Hope.

Legacies have mentioned throughout season 4 that Josie may be the best bet at getting Hope back to herself, so is it expected to see Josie again before season 4 is finished? Of course, Hope can not be without her humanity forever, but the idea that she was to regain it only for Josie never to come back does not make sense for Josie’s character or her relationship with Hope.

Yet, that is not the only thing that makes the timing of Kaylee Bryant’s departure confusing. Alaric remains in a coma, so is it meant to be believed that Josie would not be there when her father woke up either?

It also does not help that although Josie is leaving on a mission, her final episode as a series regular does not feel like a goodbye. Josie does not share a significant amount of screentime with Hope, Alaric, or Lizzie. Additionally, no one seems to be aware Josie is leaving the Salvatore School other than Finch.

While Josie and Lizzie do get a moment together, Josie is left unaware of the massive transition Lizzie is going through.

When Legacies returns for the back half of the season, Josie’s whereabouts need to be explained as it was never confirmed where she planned ongoing. As for her place in the narrative and storyline, Legacies needs to do right by Josie Saltzman.