A lot of casting news lately has been about series regulars departing their series. Today's announcement is no different. Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello just announced that Michael Cassidy, whom we've grown to love or hate -- depending on whether you were rooting for Summer and Seth to be together in the end -- as Zach Stevens on The O.C., will depart The CW's Privileged.

Since his stint on The O.C. ended, Cassidy appeared in a few movies and The CW series. He played character Cliff Wyatt on the canceled-rather-fast CW series Hidden Palms and guest starred in a multi-episode arc on Smallville as Grant Gabriel, a.k.a. a cloned and aged version of Julian Luthor.

Wonder why, when and how he will depart Privileged? Answers, including tiny spoilers about the series, are coming up after the jump!

According to Ausiello, Cassidy's final appearance on Privileged will be in the 15th episode. This means he will appear in the next five episodes and then exit. In those episodes, expect Charlie to finally (!) confess his love for Megan during a drunk night, and for him to decide to go back to college in San Diego.

Cassidy is leaving the series for creative and budgetary reasons. Let's admit it, even if Privileged is a show that is worth watching, Cassidy has not been offered much to do and, at times, I feel like his character is keeping the series from moving forward. Charlie is that best friend that's always there in the background to support you, but will do very little to push you forward; he always stays in his comfort zone.

Because of that, he and Megan cannot move forward either individually or as friends or a couple. As for budgetary reasons, it could be because the actor wants more money per episode, because the show needs to make budget cuts, or because the show wants to bring in a new character and needs to find money to pay said character.

No matter the reason, I doubt Cassidy leaving the show will hurt Privileged. It might actually help the show. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the actor, but his character isn't that useful. Having him go away to college could make way for new storylines and new characters. After all, Megan will need a new BFF to hear her stories about the bratty teens and all her insecurities!

If you are a Michael Cassidy fan, there's a slim chance he might come back to the show. Series creator Rina Mimoun told Ausiello that the door will be left open for the actor to return next season if the network renews the series.

What do you think of this news? Will Cassidy's departure hurt the series? Since Cassidy is now a CW man (he appeared on Hidden Palms, Smallville, and Privileged), where do you think he should go next acting-wise? 90210? Share your theories and opinion in the comments below!