After Monday night’s shocking ending, which showed the death of beloved character Christopher Ewing, fans are wondering–is Jesse Metcalfe leaving Dallas for good?

According to an article on Entertainment Weekly’s Inside TV, the decision was made to kill off a character that the audience loved, and by process of elimination that left Christopher.

Jesse issued this statement in regards to his departure:

“In classic Dallas fashion the producers and writers needed a season ending shocker. After three great years, I was ready to move on and pursue other projects. It culminated in the perfect opportunity to surprise fans and deliver that shocking twist. I enjoyed my time on Dallas and am grateful for the opportunity to work with Warner Bros and TNT, and I wish the cast and crew all the very best!”

There is also an interview in which Cynthia Cidre, the show’s executive producer, talks about Christopher’s death. So, sounds like it is all real. Sorry to disappoint you guys! But, this does seem to leave Jesse open for some potentially awesome future projects. Let’s hope we get to see him in something else, soon!