Early reports about "Castle" season 8 reveal that there will be major changes in the next chapter of Rick and Kate's lives. Latest news claim that Stana Katic's charater will be the new captain of 12th precinct, which could only mean that someone new will be working with Nathan Fillion's character.

The poster for the fifth season of the ABC police procedural had just been released recently. It sees the series' stars Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic but without any photo concept and tagline, noticed TVLine. The site speculated that the way the two stars are positioned in the poster implies that they may not see eye to eye anymore.

Perhaps that is one of the changes in the upcoming season. TVLine also noted that Katic mentioned storyline shifts in season 8 that might cause disagreement between the show's central couple.

Another change in the new season involves the career of Kate and Rick as Master Herald reported that Beckett's promotion as the new captain of 12th precinct may cause problems for her and Castle. Kate as the captain would mean less side by side work with Richard, which opens door for a new partner for Nathan Fillion's character.

As fans of the series already know, Toks Olagundoye is set to enter the ABC crime drama as the new series regular, playing the role of Hayley Shipton. Olagundoye's character might be the new partner of Castle in solving mysteries as she will reportedly work closely with him.

Co-showrunner Alexi Hawley, being aware of the speculations that Hayley might break the Kate and Rick apart, clarified that the new character will not come between the couple.

Rick might get a new partner in the new season of "Castle" while the love of his life, Kate Beckett assumes the position as the new captain of 12th precinct.

"Castle" season 8 airs September 21 on ABC.