Why did Cable leave Bull? The death of Annabelle Attanasio’s character explained

The CBS series Bull offered a unique take on the familiar legal procedural drama. Instead of focusing on the lawyers or judges, the show centers the story on the people who actually decide the outcome of a trial – the jury. Bull starry NCIS‘ Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull, a psychologist who uses his experience to influence the jury members. With consulting firm Trial Analysis Corporation, Bull led a team of experts in various fields, including experienced hacker Cable McCrory, played by Annabelle Attanasio, who abruptly left the show.

Cable was an important character in Bull seasons 1 and 2. His fearless personality and cynical sense of humor brought a new perspective to the team that would be I sorely missed both the cast of characters and the viewers when she was unceremoniously killed off in Season 3. However, as unsatisfying as Cable’s death was, there is a simple explanation for why Attanasio’s character was killed off on the show.

Cable was killed because Annabelle Attanasio wanted to pursue a career as a director

The character Bull died off-screen in the season 3 premiere

In Bull season 3, episode 1, “The Ground Beneath Your Feet,” The TAC team is rocked by tragedy when a bridge collapses, killing Cable McCrory. This comes at a crucial time, shortly after Bull returns to work following a heart attack scare at the end of Season 2. The death happens off-screen, heightening the tension as Cable’s absence from work comes with news of his passing. In episode 4, “Justice for Cable,” it is revealed that the collapse was caused by a terrorist attack. Bull and the team find closure by closing the bank that financed the terrorists responsible.

While Bull provided a lot of on-screen drama, none of it carried over behind the scenes in regards to Cable’s departure from the show. Annabelle Attanasio simply decided to change the focus of her career from acting to directing and therefore did not return to Bull season 3. In a statement from CBS in 2018 (via Deadline) Attanasius said:

“I’m excited to share that I’ve had the opportunity to direct my first feature film, a story I’ve been following for four years. Unfortunately, the film conflicts with my role as Cable in “Bull.” CBS and the show’s producers graciously allowed me to leave the series so I could take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity. While I will miss Cable dearly, I am so excited about this new chapter in my career and will be forever grateful to the show for supporting me on my creative journey. I loved my time on the show and I feel so lucky to have the support of the show’s producers, CBS and, most of all, my unbelievable castmates.”

Attanasio is not the only filmmaker in the family. His father, Paul Attanasio, received two Oscar nominations for writing the screenplays Question and answer program and Donnie Brasco. Paul is also the co-creator of Bull, along with Dr. host Phil McGraw.

Annabelle Attanasio’s directing career explained

She directed the acclaimed 2019 film Mickey and the Bear

In the same year that Bull the third season aired, Annabelle Attanasio made her directorial debut with the 2019 independent drama, Mickey and the Bear. The film follows student Mickey Peck (Daisy Jones and the Six(Camila Morrone) as she takes on the responsibility of caring for her troubled veteran father, Hank (James Badge Dale). Attanasio also wrote the screenplay for the film, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival. With impressive 100% Rotten tomatoes soundtrack, the film received rave reviews from critics, who praised the cast’s performance as well as Attanasio’s talent behind the camera.

Mickey and the Bear won a few awards on the film festival circuit, including Best Narrative Film at the New Hampshire Film Festival and the Boston Independent Film Festival. Attanasio also received the Adrienne Shelley Excellence In Filmmaking Award from the Nantucket Film Festival. However, the film unfortunately did not receive much attention outside of these festivals. While there is no current news of Attanasio helming another feature film on the horizon, the success of Mickey and the Bear suggests the first Bull the star has a brilliant film career ahead of him.