Actor Nicky Torchia (Black Mirror, Bull) was only 16 when he began playing the role of Eli Stabler on Law & Order: Organized Crime. Now almost 23, he gives his emotional goodbye as the show has been slated for cancellation.

 

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Torchia writes that the show has been a huge part of his life as he developed into a young man. In his words, life on the set has followed him through “tears, laughter, and a lot of hairstyles.” He made sure to include photos and videos in his goodbye post on Instagram featuring these different hairstyles and colors. The goodbye message can be read in its entirety below:

“There truly aren’t enough words to describe the gravitas of what my six-year journey with OC has meant, nor enough to capture the emotions I’m feeling right now.

I started working on this when I was 16, and now I’m almost 23. This show was a part of my most formative years—it followed me through growth, school, tears, laughter, and a lot of hairstyles.
The lessons I’ve learned from all of my incredible castmates have shaped me into an artist. I’ll miss working on Eli and the world we built, but even more so, being surrounded by our entire creative team, crew and family.
MORE importantly, I’m so lucky and grateful to have been a passenger on this ride. I’ll treasure these memories for the rest of my life. I am so so so thankful. Thank you to my mom who sat with me on set for all those years and drove me back me and forth. And to all our fans who supported us and watched the show: thank you.

– Nicky”

Torchia made sure to thank his fans and his castmates, but he saved a special thanks for his mother, whom he credits with sitting with him on the set and driving him back and forth.  His six-year journey may now be over, but a run as he had on OC and the connections he has made in the industry could set him up as a frontrunner for future leading roles.

Mxdwn previously reported that after a failed search for a new showrunner, OC has been cancelled and will not be renewed for another season. They also reported that NBC has stronger pilot contenders for the spotlight. The studio reported that the show had lost its edge and was not able to keep up with the viewership of the other series and struggled to maintain creative leadership.