Change is coming to "Hawaii Five-0" as one of its stars is about to say farewell in an upcoming episode. According to reports, Masi Oka, who joined the show in season 1 as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Max Bergman, is about to leave the series in the upcoming 13th episode of the CBS show's current season.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the "Heroes" alum talked about his decision to leave the show, saying that he thought his character has gone through a major journey.
"He got married, now he's going off to Africa, so I think character-wise I felt like Max had done too much of everything he can do," explained Oka.
The actor added that though he has been blessed to work for seven years on the show, his commute to Hawaii has become quite difficult for him, as the majority of his business has been in Los Angeles and Japan.
"I'm probably the only one who really commutes to Hawaii, maybe 18 times a year round trip," said Oka.
As for his last episode, Oka teased that the hour will feature "a little bit of the greatest hits" and fans will see things that have made Max a memorable character.
"You see his relationships with [his wife] Sabrina [Rumer Willis], with Commander McGarrett [Alex O'Loughlin], with some of his working mates," said the actor. "There's a lesson/awakening from an unexpected friend and he wants to take a final journey, not a physical one, but more of an emotional and mental one as he says goodbye to everyone."
After Oka's last episode airs, "Hawaii Five-0" will feature a "Longmire" actor in a guest-starring role. According to TVLine, Lou Diamond Phillips will play Lincoln, the "officious and no-nonsense U.S. Deputy Marshal who heads a Special Operation Group's tactical team." Phillips will appear in episode 14 of the CBS series.
"Hawaii Five-0" airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
