Homeland Downgrades Two Original Cast Members

July 30, 2012. Cast member Morena Baccarin speaks, as co-star Damian Lewis watches, at a panel for "Homeland" during the Showtime television portion of the Television Critics Association Summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California. (Reuters)

Homeland original cast members Morena Baccarin and Morgan Saylor will not return as regulars in Season 4, TVLine reports.

Saylor's character Dana has been scrutinized since the series' launch, but became a focal point of fan contention this season when given a more prominent role. With Brody (Damien Lewis) absent for most of the beginning of Season 3, the focus shifted to Brody's family, specifically Dana's struggles in the wake of her father's alleged terrorist attack.

Baccarin's appearances this season were already less frequent than before, likely due to the actress' pregnancy during filming.

Both actresses will have the option to return as guest stars, similar to how Diego Klattenhoff (Mike) did this season, while he juggled sporadic "Homeland" appearances with his NBC hit The Blacklist.

"Homeland's" Season 3 finale airs Sunday at 9/8c on Showtime.