The actor who plays one of the key roles in a freshman ABC drama series is off the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed.

In what the story describes as an "amicable split," former "Lost" actor Henry Ian Cusick won’t return for the second season of "Scandal." Cusick starred as Stephen Finch on the Shonda Rhimes political drama, which premiered April 5.

Cusick’s character used his charm to obtain information for Pope & Associates, the crisis management firm run by Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope.

The freshman drama was renewed in May for a second season.

Meanwhile, recurring actor Joshua Malina, who plays U.S. Attorney David Rosen on the show, has been promoted to series regular, the piece adds.

Henry Ian Cusick