NCIS star Michael Weatherly simply premiered the sixth season of his CBS authorized drama Bull, however one authentic character was lacking in Thursday’s (October 7) episode.

Benny Colón (performed by Freddy Rodriguez) was nowhere to be seen, although the episode shortly addressed his departure.

“Benny is blissfully comfortable in Rome, singing ‘Mi Amore’ to his Italian bride,” Marissa (performed by Geneva Carr) reminded characters and viewers alike throughout a karaoke session when somebody requested to listen to Benny do a Kenny Loggins rendition.

“Real love will not be denied,” mentioned Weatherly’s titular character Bull. In the meantime, Jaime Lee Kirchner’s Danny was baffled that Benny would transfer to Europe after solely realizing the woman for a month.

Rodriguez joined the present proper when it began in 2016 and his departure was introduced final Could following an investigation after a number of members of the present’s writing workers give up on the finish of season 5.

Amongst their claims, they accused showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron of “fostering a disrespectful work surroundings”. Caron – in keeping with the allegations – “was callous and infrequently berated the writing workers” (by way of TVLine).

Caron, it was introduced, was additionally faraway from the present and his total cope with CBS Studios was terminated. The community have declined to touch upon the circumstances surrounding the office investigation into Rodriguez, whereas neither Caron nor Rodriguez have launched any statements in response to the bulletins.

On the finish of season 5, Benny, who was a former prosecutor and part of Bull’s jury consulting agency TAC, was being courted to run for District Legal professional. Within the season finale, Benny resigned, solely to return to Bull’s group as soon as once more on the very finish.

However in keeping with the premiere’s rationalization, he will need to have resigned as soon as extra to maneuver to Italy and has left the group for good, with Chunk (Christopher Jackson) taking on his position at TAC.

Rodriguez can also be recognized for his roles as Federico in Six Toes Beneath and Gio in Ugly Betty.

Bull season 6 airs Thursdays on CBS within the US. The present airs on Fox within the UK however there’s presently no launch date for the brand new season.