Benny Cologne's Departure: What's Next For Bull?

Freddy Rodriguez, who played Benjamin Benny Colon on CBS's Bull, departed the show in 2021 following a workplace investigation. The details of the investigation are unknown, but it was reported that multiple writers left the show that year. Rodriguez's character, Benny, was written off the show by having him move to Italy with his new wife. While it is possible for the actor to return to the show, it is considered unlikely.

Benny Colón's absence in season 6

Fans of CBS's "Bull" were shocked to learn that Freddy Rodriguez, who played Benny Colón, would not be returning for the show's sixth season. Rodriguez's departure from the series was first announced in May 2021, following a workplace investigation. While CBS declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the investigation, it confirmed that the actor would not be returning to the show.

In the show's narrative, Benny's absence is explained by his sudden marriage to an Italian woman, whom he met and wed during a European vacation between seasons 5 and 6. The character has moved overseas to be with his new bride, leaving his former colleagues at TAC to toast his happiness and new life in Rome.

The off-screen departure of such a central character has naturally led to speculation about the reasons for actor Freddy Rodriguez's exit. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Rodriguez's departure came in the wake of an investigation by CBS Studios into the show's workplace environment. Showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron was also dismissed following a separate internal investigation.

While the specific details of the investigation remain private, the fact that Rodriguez left due to a workplace issue means that the chances of him returning to the show are slim.

With Benny's future seemingly lying away from the TAC team, it remains to be seen whether the character will ever return to the show, or whether his story will continue off-screen in Italy.

Freddy Rodriguez's departure from the series

Freddy Rodriguez, who played Benjamin "Benny" Colon on CBS's "Bull", departed the show in May 2021 after five seasons. His departure followed an investigation into the show's workplace environment.

Rodriguez's exit came as a surprise to fans, especially since he was a series regular from the very beginning, appearing in over 100 episodes. There has been no comment from CBS, Rodriguez, or the show's production company about the reasons for his departure.

In the show, Benny's departure was explained as him moving to Italy after marrying an Italian woman he met during a European vacation. This casual reveal gave the character an option to return, which left fans relieved as they would have been devastated if the character had been killed off.

Prior to his departure, there had been hints that Benny might leave the TAC team. In Season 3, he learned about his sister's divorce and mourned the impact on his family. In Season 4, his position was jeopardised when he collapsed, and it appeared that he might not survive. Finally, in Season 5, Benny began his bid for DA, which again made fans question his future on the show.

Reasons for Benny leaving the TAC team

Benny Colón, played by Freddy Rodriguez, has been a staple character on the CBS show "Bull" since its first season. However, his departure from the series was announced in May 2021, leaving fans wondering about the reasons for his exit. Here are some possible reasons why Benny left the TAC team:

Workplace Investigation:

Freddy Rodriguez's departure from "Bull" was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, who cited a workplace investigation as the reason for his exit. CBS declined to comment on the specific circumstances but confirmed that Rodriguez would not be returning to the show.

Family Drama:

In Season 3, Benny faced personal turmoil due to his sister Izzy Colón's divorce. He also discovered that Izzy had cheated on her husband with Benny's boss and brother-in-law, Jason Bull. This led to a significant rift between Benny and Jason, resulting in Benny quitting the TAC team temporarily.

Health Scares:

In Season 4, Episode 15, Benny's health was called into question when he collapsed to the ground. Although it was later revealed in a flash-forward that he was fine 27 years later, this incident may have contributed to his decision to leave.

Bid for District Attorney:

During Season 5, Benny was asked to run for district attorney, an offer he accepted. This new role could have influenced his decision to step away from the TAC team, as he may have wanted to focus solely on his political career.

Work Environment:

There were reports of a stressful and difficult work environment on the set of "Bull," which led to an internal investigation. Multiple writers departed the series, and showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron was also dismissed following the investigation. This could have played a role in Benny's decision to leave, especially if he felt the work environment was unhealthy or unsustainable.

While the exact reasons for Benny's departure may remain private, these factors could have collectively or individually influenced his decision to leave the TAC team and the show "Bull."

Workplace investigation of Freddy Rodriguez

Freddy Rodriguez, who played the character of Benjamin "Benny" Colon on CBS's "Bull", was dismissed from the show in May 2021 following a workplace investigation. The investigation was conducted by the show's production company, CBS Studios, into its workplace environment.

There has been no comment from CBS, Rodriguez, or his representative about the investigation or the reasons for his departure. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Rodriguez was under investigation, but CBS declined to comment on the circumstances, only confirming that he would no longer be on the show.

The investigation was examining the departures of multiple writers from the show. Showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron was also dismissed following a separate investigation into allegations that he fostered a stressful and difficult work environment.

On the show, Benny's absence was explained as him moving to Italy after marrying an Italian woman. This was briefly mentioned by other characters in the season 6 premiere.

The future of Benny's character

The future of Benny Colón's character on Bull was left uncertain after the actor who played him, Freddy Rodriguez, departed the show following a workplace investigation. While the details of the investigation are unknown, it is confirmed that Rodriguez will not be returning to the series.

In the show's narrative, Benny's absence was explained by his sudden marriage to an Italian woman and his subsequent move to Rome. This quick explanation, which was not depicted on-screen, leaves the door open for the character's potential return. However, given the circumstances of the actor's departure, it is unlikely that Benny will be returning to the TAC team anytime soon.

Benny's exit from the show was abrupt and unexpected, leaving fans shocked and curious about the reasons behind it. While the investigation into the workplace environment may have played a role, there were also hints throughout the series that Benny might leave the team. His position was often in jeopardy, and he had several scary cases and health scares that could have provided narrative reasons for his departure.

Despite the possibility of Benny returning from Italy, the character's future interactions with the TAC team seem unlikely. The writers' decision to abruptly marry Benny off-screen and move him overseas suggests that they are not planning to include him in future storylines. Additionally, the departure of the actor Freddy Rodriguez makes a return seem improbable.

While the future of Benny's character remains uncertain, fans can take comfort in the fact that his exit from the show was not due to any tragic events. The character is presumed to be happy and thriving in his new life in Rome, even though viewers may miss his presence on the TAC team.

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