Naming Names: Ryan Murphy Plays "Pomp And Circumstance" For Three Fan Favorites At Season's End

Meet the graduation class of McKinley High 2012

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Glee creator Ryan Murphy says that Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer and Lea Michele are definitely graduating at the end of season three.

We made that decision and I involved Chris and Lea and they thought that was a good idea. They both trust the writing and trust me and felt that it would be great to have an open and closed experience for them to go out while they were on top.

While it could easily be argued that the trio could stay on top forever in the series, there's something to be said for not only the realism of graduating the seniors, but for also the experience that is senior year. As Murphy says:

I’m much more interested in Lea’s character -- not so much on her relationship with Finn, but more on what her dreams are beyond high school and how she plans on getting them. That’s what my senior year was about.

Murphy also stresses that it won't just be this three that leave, in fact, "more characters are leaving than are staying."

Cory Monteith has some movie roles, including the forgettable Monte Carlo. Lea Michele can probably write her own ticket on Broadway, and Chris Colfer has so many projects going I've lost track. There are books, movies, and television shows he's developing, so none of the actors are going to fade from memory any time soon.

But can the show handle a transition like this? Sure it's been done before, but more often, the show moves with the cast instead. Will Glee still hold your interest after so many original cast members are gone?