The Kominsky Method will wrap up its run without one of its primary actors, as Alan Arkin has departed the Netflix series ahead of season 3. In just two seasons, the Chuck Lorre-helmed comedy has achieved remarkable critical success, winning a couple of Golden Globes, with one reserved for series star Michael Douglas. Arkin was also nominated for the award back in 2018, but any future nominations will not be coming as a series regular on the show.
On The Kominsky Method, Arkin played Norman Newlander, a friend (and the agent) of Sandy Kominsky, Douglas' character. Norman began the show as the caring, mournful widow who served as a foil to the irascible Sandy. Over the course of the series, however, that characterization began to change and Norman started to show some angrier qualities. The last episode of the most recent season shows Norman considering the idea of becoming a Scientologist, which would be an intriguing move for the character.
Whether or not Norman embraces this possibility may remain a mystery. The Wrap reports that Arkin will not be back on the show for the third and final season of The Kominsky Method. The language of Arkin's departure is vague, leaving it somewhat unclear if he chose to leave (which is the assumption, given the complications of losing a main character in any show), if he was fired, or if the decision was mutual. Regardless, it doesn't seem Arkin will be appearing in season 3 of the show.
Considering the role age plays in The Kominsky Method, it's fair to wonder if Arkin's age played a role in this decision. The veteran actor is 86 years old, a perfectly acceptable time to begin slowing down instead of working on an intense television production. The dangers of working in the industry have only become more magnified due to the coronavirus pandemic. It's worth noting the only upcoming project for Arkin is voice work on Minions: The Rise of Gru, which he has already completed.
When The Kominsky Method was renewed for its third season, it was revealed it would also be the last for the show. Wrapping up any series can be challenging, but it's easier to do when it's on the terms of the creatives behind the show. That will no longer be the case with this show due to Arkin's absence. It will be interesting to see how Norman is written out of The Kominsky Method and how this affects the final chapter of the series.
Source: The Wrap