Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer Will Not Return for GLEE's Fourth Season

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, some of the main characters on the hit musical series GLEE are set to graduate at the end of the show's third season.

Though at that time it was reportedly a possibility that the characters could stay on in some capacity, GLEE's creator, Ryan Murphy, has now clarified that Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith are "not going to be back at all for Season 4" in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"We made that decision and I involved Chris and Lea," Murphy confirmed, adding that "they thought that was a good idea. They both trust the writing and trust me and felt that it would be great to have an open and closed experience for them to go out while they were on top."

Bringing in a new set of writers (including Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who was brought on to rework SPIDER-MAN, TURN OFF THE DARK earlier this year) will not change the plan to have the characters leave the show. "We already made the decision before the new writers came in," Murphy said, "but everybody likes where we're taking it and what we're writing toward."

GLEE follows an optimistic teacher who, against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach, inspires McKinley High's Glee Club to conquer the world one singing competition at a time. GLEE stars Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz.

Murphy hinted at other characters leaving as well - saying "more characters are leaving than are staying" and that the full roster of GLEE seniors will be revealed in the September 20th third season premiere - but for now, Colfer, Michele and Monteith are the only characters confirmed to be "graduating" McKinley High.