The Good Wife is losing another vital character

Five years ago, The Good Wife introduced viewers to Kalinda Sharma, a private investigator with a penchant for leather jackets, miniskirts, and boots. And when the end of the show's sixth season arrives next year, she will say goodbye.

Archie Panjabi, who plays Kalinda, has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox Television, The Hollywood Reporter explains. "20th's plan calls for the actress behind Kalinda Sharma to star in a drama pilot for the studio in the spring," THR reports.

The move makes sense for Panjabi. For the last couple of seasons, the powers that be at The Good Wife have been flummoxed as to what to do with Kalinda since she stopped being friends with Alicia Florrick (Juliana Margulies) — according to Buzzfeed's math, the two have gone 30 episodes without sharing a scene. The show's fourth season saw a too-long plot involving Kalinda's estranged husband and Kalinda doing bad things to each other. Since then, Kalinda has been used as a one-note character, only called in when someone needs to break or screw (Kalinda literally has sex with police persons) the law.

Although the move is good for Panjabi's acting career, Good Wife fans will still be sad. Even if Kalinda's character has been static and one-note, that one note has been a constant presence on the show from the "Kalicia" (Kalinda + Alicia) friendship, to her on-again-off-again romance with Cary Agos (Matt Czuchry).

Panjabi's departure could also be the signal that Robyn (Jess Weixler) will end up as the firm's primary private investigator and Carey's possible love interest. Or this speculation could be all moot, because Alicia will win state's attorney, marry Finn Polmar, and end up in some other show entirely. What we're trying to say here is that Kalinda Sharma and her boots will be missed.

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