This marks David Caruso's final appearance in the series. After the 1st season, Caruso sought to capitalize on his breakout out work as Det. John Kelly by demanding a huge salary increase and large amounts of time off to make movies, while also insisting that Kelly return to being the show's lead focus instead of sharing that position with Dennis Franz's Det. Andy Sipowicz.
Co-creators Steven Bochco and David Milch agreed that they were better off just cutting ties with Caruso and told his agent they planned to have Kelly killed off for the Season 2 premiere. After some back and forth, the two sides ultimately reached a compromise where the actor would shoot the first 4 episodes of Season 2 and then be written out of the show permanently, with his replacement coming onboard for that season's 5th episode (which ended up being a role for Jimmy Smits). Those working with him on the series were not exactly unhappy when he decided to abandon ship after only one season.
Co-creators Steven Bochco and David Milch agreed that they were better off just cutting ties with Caruso and told his agent they planned to have Kelly killed off for the Season 2 premiere. After some back and forth, the two sides ultimately reached a compromise where the actor would shoot the first 4 episodes of Season 2 and then be written out of the show permanently, with his replacement coming onboard for that season's 5th episode (which ended up being a role for Jimmy Smits). Those working with him on the series were not exactly unhappy when he decided to abandon ship after only one season.