The Shocking Truth Behind Rachel Scott's Departure from The Last Ship - Unveiling the Real Reason Rhona Mitra Left!

Rhona Mitra's departure from The Last Ship and the exit of Dr. Rachel Scott from the TNT series have left fans wondering about the reasons behind it. The Last Ship, which is based on a post-apocalyptic novel from the 1980s, centers around the USS Nathan James crew, who return from Arctic maneuvers only to discover a virus has devastated the world. Commander Chandler, played by Eric Dane, must collaborate with his team and Dr. Rachel Scott, portrayed by Rhona Mitra, to find a cure for the virus. Produced by Michael Bay, the show featured not only action and explosives but also compelling characters.

In its early seasons, The Last Ship focused on the pursuit of a cure, while later seasons delved into the world's reconstruction after the virus. Although some significant characters survived until the final season, with the sinking of the Nathan James in the series finale, the show's revival seems unlikely. However, long before the final season, Rachel Scott met an unfortunate fate, leaving a significant impact on the series. As one of the show's key characters and a favorite among fans, Dr. Scott's departure brought about substantial changes. But what prompted Rhona Mitra to leave The Last Ship, and how did the departure transpire, especially in terms of her relationship with the show?

What Happened To Rachel Scott?

Following the intense season 1 finale of The Last Ship, the crew achieved their goal of finding a cure in season 2. However, a group known as the Immunes, who are resistant to the virus, believed they were chosen to survive and tried to hinder the distribution efforts. During the final moments, the crew attended President Michener's inaugural ball at a hotel, where they celebrated their success. Chandler and Scott shared a potentially romantic moment before she returned to her room. Astonishingly, an Immune named Curtis shot her. This event proved significant as Scott was the one responsible for creating the cure and the vaccine.

The scene was intentionally ambiguous regarding Scott's fate, but in the season 3 premiere of The Last Ship, it was confirmed that she had died. In the months following her tragic demise, Scott became a revered figure worldwide, with her image featured on the new ration books as a tribute to her heroic actions in saving humanity. The showrunners explained that her death was meant to haunt Chandler and the crew in season 3 and impact their perspectives. Despite the absence of an onscreen death or a funeral for her character, fans still held onto hope that Dr. Scott may have survived. However, her death was indeed true, complicating matters when an "anti-cure" was introduced in season 3.

What Rhona Mitra Said About Leaving The Last Ship

Dr. Scott's departure from the series was understandable, but another question arose regarding why Rhona Mitra, who had been a main cast member since the first episode of The Last Ship, also left. In 2016, Mitra revealed on Twitter what had happened to her character, indicating that her departure from the show may not have been amicable. She made it clear that she had no plans to return and that the decision was hers alone. It's unclear whether Mitra chose to leave or if she refused to come back after Dr. Scott's shooting.

Neither Mitra nor the showrunners have provided a definitive reason for her departure, although the actress's social media posts suggest that there may have been some tension. Co-showrunner Steven Kane commented on the impact of Dr. Scott's absence, stating that her absence posed a greater challenge for Chandler and the world, and that her presence would continue to have an impact in Season 3. Kane's remarks were more focused on Scott, while Mitra's comments hinted at a less than amicable exit. The character of Scott was sorely missed after her departure, and Mitra has since moved on.