Season 7 of "Castle" ended with a cliffhanger, leaving Officer Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) with a choice of either running for Senate or going up the ladder and finally achieving her goal of being captain and getting to oversee her own precinct. The finale ended with no choice decided and Katic's contract expired along with the season. 

However, according to a report from the IBTimes, fans shouldn't worry about season 8 because Katic has officially signed on to return for the next season. No exact details have yet been given but it is speculated at this point that the actress has signed on for multiple seasons, with three being a bare minimum.  

Her co-lead, Nathan Fillion, has already signed on to reprise his role as the crime novelist Richard Castle. 

Now that her return is on the books, fans are speculating if her character will be shifting careers. Either choice is lucrative for Kate Beckett, and her husband is finally supportig her decisions. However, Castle's actions during the season 7 finale might force Beckett to step away from a political career and pursue her option as a police captain. 

While the leads have signed on to return, "Castle" is expected to make some changes. Executive producer David Amann is stepping down and will be replaced by new showrunners. In his place will be "Castle" veteran Terence Paul Winter and "State of Affair" creator Alexi Hawley. 

ABC President Paul Lee did confirm that season 8 will not be the end of the series and promised that "Castle" will continue for "many years to come." This is why many fans have speculated that Fillion's and Katic's contracts are for multiple seasons, given that the show will continue on for a few years more. 

According to a report from Cartermatt, "Castle" season 8 is expected to premiere either on Sept. 21 or 28, based on information that the series will premiere on a Monday this fall.