Executive producer Dick Wolf sounded pretty blunt when answering questions on "Chicago P.D." after four seasons.

"She wanted to leave," Wolf said during the Television Critics Association summer press tour. That's it. No further comment on why. And since Sophia Bush has yet to comment herself, we may never know.

Someone asked about the impact on the show, after losing one of its original cast members. Here's Wolf's reply:

"I don't think it will have any effect at all."

Ouch?

There are gentler ways to address a star's exit. Her Detective Erin Lindsay was shown mulling a job offer in New York City in the Season 4 finale. So if she just takes that job, it may not be that hard to explain why she left. But Sophia Bush is not replaceable as an actress, and after four seasons fans will definitely feel the effect of her absence.

Erin Lindsay was a lead character on "Chicago P.D." and recurred on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Chicago Fire," and "Chicago Med."

"Chicago P.D." Season 5 will see Jon Seda's Detective Antonio Dawson rejoin the show after a stint on "Chicago Justice," and Tracy Spiridakos was promoted to series regular in her role as Detective Hailey Upton.

Also, Rick Eid, recently showrunner of "Law and Order: SVU," is taking over as showrunner of "Chicago P.D.," replacing Matt Olmstead, who left for a deal with ABC Studios.

"It was just time," Wolf said of the changes. "Nobody left because they did a bad job, they left because, with Matt, it was just a question of, he's kind of burned out. Everybody forgot that he was really on point for three shows. It's very hard."

Wolf also reiterated that "The show is as good as it has been."

"Chicago P.D." Season 5 premieres Wednesday, September 27 at 10 p.m. on NBC.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.