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Mekhi Phifer Leaving Lie to Me

1 September 2010 at 2:35 pm

As we previously hinted at, Lie to Me has chosen to drop Mekhi Phifer from the cast. EP and Showrunner David Graziano said: “Lightman [Tim Roth] is going to act slightly in the more old school P.I. model of a TV protagonist”. He went on to explain that the Lightman Group would be ending its FBI contract, and as a result, Mekhi Phifer will no longer be on the show. Graziano further explained that having the FBI element limited their storytelling. The “badge” in Season Three will be Monique Curnen’s character, Det. Wallowski. Graziano says she “goes about business in a similar way to Lightman. There’s a mutual respect form the get-go. We’re working hard to make The Lightman Group a dysfunctional family.”

What do you think about the change?

Source: EW - Michael Ausiello

Category: Misc
Tags: Casting, David Graziano, Mekhi Phifer, Monique Curnen, Season Three
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16 Comments »

  1. Pat holt

    If this “badge” becomes another “love interest” for Cal then it sucks. It is too bad cause I like Mekhi’s character.

    September 1, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

  2. Anna

    I’m really disappointed to read this. I like Mekhi Phifer’s character a lot. I’m not sure that the show needs another quirky angle or another unbalanced character.

    He’s probably going to be the character put in danger (and likely killed) in the season finale.

    September 1, 2010 @ 2:48 pm

  3. Fran

    No sure I like the sound of this line at all.
    I Liked the Charector of Reynolds and I really don’t see HOW the FBI connection “Inhibited” the show as they really only needed to bring it in as and when.
    I have read how Mr Roth is fond of the oldsyle “Columbo” type charectors and sincerely hope he doesn’t go to far down that road as that is really not what a lot of the LTM fans signed up for …

    It will be a great shame and a huge loss if the show goes crazily of route from it’s original premise.

    September 1, 2010 @ 2:49 pm

  4. Manda

    Well, he was great while he lasted, and I will sure miss him. But, changes are exciting and I can not wait to meet this new detective.

    September 1, 2010 @ 2:49 pm

  5. Alex

    I always found the FBI guy very lackluster & somewhat out of place. I did like Mekhi’s intensity, his way of whipping out his gun. No problem with the actor, just the character. Can’t even recall his name! Not sad to see him go and wishing Mekhi the best. (In the same vein I wouldn’t mind less Zoe scenes unless she makes a very brief cameo for Emily purposes. I really have no idea why they had to pick such a tall woman to play opposite Roth)

    I’m not a fan of new actors joining an established cast generally speaking, but let’s see what this Monique lady can bring to her part. I haven’t warmed up to the receptionist yet. (I did find her acting a bit contrived, like she was trying too hard to be funny, but we’ll give her time to grow). I just hope the receptionist doesn’t encroach upon Locker/Torres time. We have so little of it as it is.

    As always, thanks Kate for the scoop.

    September 1, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

  6. Iris

    *sigh* seeing as this Monique person is playing Cal’s new sexual interest, does anyone know how many episodes she’s going to be in?

    September 1, 2010 @ 4:19 pm

  7. J

    Agent Ben Reynolds was a great character. And he always kept Lightman on his toes. I think he’ll be missed.

    Although a new detective (and from what I hear, a slightly dirty cop) could really give the show some zest because I think Lightman is up to something.

    September 1, 2010 @ 4:25 pm

  8. gdolecki

    I understand the point about “limiting,” but I don’t like this. I like the actor and the character. Can’t say I’m surprised though. Mekhi Phifer was not Tweeting nor was anyone apologizing for his not Tweeting.
    I really like Tim Roth and the more screen time he gets, the better and I understand about Lightman’s past experience, training, etc., but I haven’t really found the episodes where he does virtually everything entirely believable. He seems like a super hero. Might almost have tossed all the other characters except for Emily.

    September 1, 2010 @ 4:36 pm

  9. Carol

    Really disappointed to read this. I love Mekhi, like Ben, and have no interest in meeting new characters when the show cannot be bothered to write for the ones they already have. What happened to the science? This was never supposed to be a run-of-the-mill P.I. shows. Sigh. . .

    September 1, 2010 @ 6:25 pm

  10. fv

    Ahh what? I love Mehki! Saying that though, he was completely underused this part of the season so it isn’t surprising. I also reckon they’ll kill him off. He had a good rapport with Cal but I suppose there wasnt enough friction creating more drama and newbie will bring that. Not impressed with her driving a “wedge” between Cal and Gillian!! Hope she isn’t in too many eps but it doesn’t look promising…

    September 1, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

  11. Melapaloosa

    So I guess all legality is completely going out the window for next season, right? Sounds like this so called “badge” shouldn’t even be in law enforcement if she’s all about breaking the rules. I can see that this is what’s going to drive the wedge between Lightman and Foster. Lightman’s going to be even more off script and doing dangerous illegal things and his “badge” is going to be his cheerleader, and I suppose the Lightman Group reputation is just going to go down with the ship, right?

    Sorry, but this doesn’t sound like a good thing. Not that I don’t like watching Roth flex his acting muscles doing out-there stuff, but I don’t want to watch a whole season of him being reckless, Foster being angry and worried, and all the cases being legally unbelievable.

    September 3, 2010 @ 11:58 am

  12. lola

    im all for it, looking forward to it. change is good, but lets not get to carried away guys -by guys i mean:writers- i dont wanna end up watching another show all together by next season, ok? dysfunctional family sounds good, even interesting n fun, but if i would want to watch a family show or a soap opera i wouldnt watch LTM to begin with, so please, please, please, be careful!!! take very good care of my favorite show on tv pleaseeeee!!! i want drama, action, love, hate,death, rock n roll, roth, williams n more. DONT LET ME DOWN u guys, im counting on u!

    September 5, 2010 @ 1:01 am

  13. hayley

    =( I like Reynolds. If they get rid of him, I would rather they just didn’t have a ‘badge’ at all. If Lightman sleeps with this new character, I could strangle the writers. They’ve turned him into (excuse my crude language) a “man whore”.

    September 6, 2010 @ 1:43 am

  14. DEB

    THEY SHOULD BRING MEKHI BACK, HE WAS AN ASSET TO THE SHOW. MAKE HIM PART OF THE LIGHTMAN GROUP. HE WAS ONE OF THE REASONS I WATCHED AND SOMETIMES RECORDED THE SHOW.

    October 13, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

  15. Monique

    I am very disappointment that Mekhi Phifer will no longer be on the show. I enjoy his character and the relationship he has with Dr. Lightman and the rest of the staff.

    I don’t do not like this move at all and if it doesn’t work out, BRING BACK MEKHI PHIFER, he is missed already on Lie To Me.

    October 18, 2010 @ 9:01 am

  16. T

    I also enjoyed Reynolds on the show. He and Cal created great scenes. Although his time on the screen was limited I was very excited to see him in the storyline. I’m only up to season 3 right now on netflix so at least I get to enjoy him for one more season. They really should bring his character back. He’s so freaking intense!!!

    December 22, 2010 @ 3:30 pm

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