NBC’s ‘Constantine’ Loses Lucy Griffiths, Replacing with DC Comic Character

NBC's 'Constantine' seems on target for a strong fall Friday launch, particularly with the massive DC TV showing at Comic-Con 2014 in the coming weeks, but at least one of the show's major players is already calling it quits. Leading lady and 'True Blood' alum Lucy Griffiths has made a surprising exit from 'Constantine,' a void DC will fill with comic 'Hellblazer' character "Zed."

Griffiths' character Liv acted as the show's female lead, who teams with Constantine after being marked for death by a powerful demon, and gaining the ability to see the supernatural world around her. From The Hollywood Reporter, it seems somewhat unclear what would facilitate Griffiths' exit from the DC drama, given her character Liv's vital importance to and placement within the show's pilot, though the writers purportedly "opted to move in a different direction."

Rather than recast the role however, NBC's 'Constantine' will instead bring in fan-familiar comic character Zed, better known as John Constantine's right-hand woman. The new role has not yet been cast, though Zed apparently marks only the first of multiple 'Hellblazer' and DC comic characters on the docket for introduction.

Liv notwithstanding, here’s how NBC describes 'Constantine''s premise:

Based on the wildly popular comic book series “Hellblazer” from DC Comics, seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, “Criminal Minds”) specializes in giving hell… hell. Armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and his wickedly naughty wit, he fights the good fight — or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he’s decided to leave his do-gooder life behind, but when demons target Liv (Lucy Griffiths, “True Blood”), the daughter of one of Constantine’s oldest friends, he’s reluctantly thrust back into the fray – and he’ll do whatever it takes to save her.

Before long, it’s revealed that Liv’s “second sight” — an ability to see the worlds behind our world and predict supernatural occurrences — is a threat to a mysterious new evil that’s rising in the shadows. Now it’s not just Liv who needs protection; the angels are starting to get worried too. So, together, Constantine and Liv must use her power and his skills to travel the country, find the demons that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows… maybe there’s hope for him and his soul after all.

The cast also includes Harold Perrineau and Charles Halford. Writer Daniel Cerone (“The Mentalist,” “Dexter”) serves as executive producer with David S. Goyer (“Man of Steel,” “The Dark Knight Rises”). “Constantine” is produced from Bonanza Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. The show is based upon characters published by DC Entertainment.

Certainly sad and surprising news, but what say you? Will NBC's 'Constantine' fare better with more comic characters than with Lucy Griffith's Liv? What do you think we'll learn from the pilot premiere at Comic-Con 2014? Watch the trailer again below, and tell us what you want to see from the 'Constantine' TV series, premiering October 24 on NBC!