Casting Shakeup To Rock 'Battlestar Galactica'

Death is no stranger to the valiant people of "Battlestar Galactica's" ragtag fleet, but the growing disinterest of one actor could mean a very high-profile departure.

TV Guide's Michael Ausiello is fueling a very powerful rumor that Katee Sackhoff, who plays the not-so-lovable Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, is ready to throw in the towel and leave the show, something that could happen as early as the end of this season. But the departure doesn't necessarily have to be permanent.

"All signs are pointing to Starbuck's imminent demise," Ausiello said in his weekly "Ask Ausiello" column. But there is still some hope: "If you ask me, this whole thing carries with it the stench of a highly coordinated foiler," Ausiello said. "I mean, Ron Moore would be out of his frakkin' mind to deep-six Starbuck, right?"

Using the spoiler media to put out false stories is definitely not new, although Moore and fellow executive producer David Eick have not been known to use such tactics in the past.

Sackhoff apparently told the "Cort and Fatboy" show on radio station KUFO in Portland that she was leaving the show, but wouldn't acknowledge if her character actually died. Sackhoff has expressed frustration about the show in the past, including one comment where she said "Battlestar Galactica" had turned into a "soap opera."

There has been no announcement or confirmation from any of the folks at "Battlestar Galactica" or SciFi Channel, so please continue to treat this story as you would any other rumor.

"Battlestar Galactica" returns Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. ET.

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