SEASON PREMIERE

SEASON 8 OF "CASTLE" KICKS OFF WITH A TWO-PART GAMECHANGER, SEPTEMBER 21 ON ABC

Jack Coleman Returns

"XY" - After passing the Captain's exam in the Season 7 finale, Beckett was surprised with an offer to run for State Senate. In the action packed season premiere, Castle and Beckett are adjusting to Beckett's career change, when a call from a mysterious stranger sets off an explosive chain of events. There are two sides to every story, and this unique two-parter will explore the same story from each of their perspectives, first from Castle's side as he searches for Beckett in the exciting Season 8 premiere, "XY." Season 8 of "Castle" begins on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (10:01-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on the ABC Television Network.

"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle with Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers. For Season 8, Toks Olagundoye ("The Neighbors") joins the series as Hayley, a quick-witted, free-spirited, former Scotland Yard police officer who works as a security specialist and is not afraid to cross lines to get things done.

Guest cast: Sunkrish Bala as Vikram Singh, Brad Lee Wind as Franco Mancini, Coby Ryan McLaughlin as Brooks, Jack Coleman as Senator Will Bracken, Daisy Betts as A.J.

"XY" was written by Terence Paul Winter & Alexi Hawley and directed by Rob Bowman.

"Castle" is produced by ABC Studios. Executive producers are Terence Paul Winter, Alexi Hawley, Rob Bowman, Rob Hanning and Armyan Bernstein.

"Castle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L,V parental guideline.

For more information on "Castle," visit ABC.com