"Hawaii Five-0" has gone through a controversy after two members of its main cast, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, decided to quit the series because of issues with unequal pay. There were a lot of divided opinions from the fans - some believed that Kim and Park deserved to be paid just as much as their co-stars, while some expressed their disappointment towards the Asian actors for being greedy with their pay. The showrunners have already issued a statement regarding Kim and Park's departure as they wished the former cast members good luck on their new ventures.
The issue about unequal pay, however, wasn't discussed by the network.
According to Los Angeles Times, CBS has announced on Wednesday that there will be a former "Hawaii Five-0" member that will be promoted as a regular. Additionally, two new cast members will be added to the series, to make up for the departure of Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park.
The new cast members
Ian Anthony Dale is the recurring cast member who has been promoted to be a series regular. In previous episodes, Dale has played the role of Adam Noshimuri, a trusted confidant, and resource. He has been a familiar face since season 2, so his promotion as a regular is expected to go smoothly. In the upcoming season, Detective Steve McGarrett will be hiring Dale's character to work for the police unit.
Meanwhile, Meaghan Rath and Beulah Koale are the two new actors who will be joining "Hawaii Five-0" season 8. They will be joining the main cast, Scott Caan and Alex O'Loughlin.
New 'Hawaii Five-0' team
Meaghan Rath will play the role of Tani Rey, who will also enter the series thanks to Detective Steve McGarrett. Just like Adam Noshimuri, Rath's character will be working for the police unit under Detective McGarrett. Tani Rey used to be from the police academy but was unfortunately kicked out. McGarrett finds him working as hotel pool lifeguard and eventually asks him to work in the police unit because Rey was actually a first-rate candidate.
The backstory of how Tani Rey got kicked out from the police academy is also expected to be unveiled in "Hawaii Five-0" season 8.
Meanwhile, Koale will be playing the role of Junior Reigns, a former Navy SEAL who asks the help of fellow Navy SEAL, Detective McGarrett to land him a job.
The new cast of characters is expected to bring a whole new atmosphere to "Hawaii Five-0" and will hopefully compensate the departure of Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, who have been with the show since its premiere episode.
