Theo James didn't return for Sanditon season 2, which was disappointing for fans of the PBS Masterpiece series until they saw just how well the show handled Sidney's (James) absence, but it begs the question - why did Theo James leave Sanditon? James played the brooding hero Sidney Parker opposite Rose Williams' Charlotte Heywood. When the innocent Charlotte came to the seaside resort town of Sanditon and met Sanditon's cast of wealthy gentry, she and Sidney fell in love. However, they didn't declare their feelings until the final episode — after Sidney decided he had to marry a wealthy heiress to financially rescue his family.

Sanditon received a surprise renewal for seasons 2 and 3 beginning in 2022 – however, it would continue without one of its most loved performers. The joy of Sanditon's resurrection was temporarily undercut by Theo James announcing that he would not return for seasons 2 and 3. Sanditon season 2 killed Sidney off while...