[spoilers] Richard Armitage

[Quill]

I haven't heard anything about RA leaving Strike Back from any credible source.

I imagine his contract with Spooks was up in the air for two reasons:
- Season 10 wasn't a sure thing yet;
- They didn't know if The Hobbit was going to be filmed in the UK or New Zealand. If the production was to be done locally, there was a chance he could fit it all in his schedule, crazy as it may seems. Now that he will be away, that would be hard. I think it will be a good argument for a Lucas North exit, but they might keep character alive for eventual little guest appearances, like Malcom.

Strike back might be easier to accommodate around The Hobbit, since New Zealand can offer very diverse backgrounds for shooting and Sky1 can move the production anywhere. And the series revolve around RA's character, so without him I don't the project going ahead.

I think Martin Freeman's schedule will be more worrisome for Sherlock fans. I can't see anyone playing Watson and they NEED to shoot it in London.