After his character was tragically shot and killed on Thursday night's episode of Scandal, actor Dan Bucatinsky is opening up about why he believes his character was the one to die

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Bucatinsky sat down with E! News Thursday to talk about why his character, James, may have met his untimely end on the show.

"There was a certain realization, I think, that led to James' desperate need to bring justice to the murder of Daniel Douglas," Bucatinsky said. "I feel like James' willingness to try anything to do that, in storytelling terms, there was really no way to continue with that level of danger given what was around him, and given how many people knew what he was doing and how many people knew he was Publius, there was really no way to get around it with some big, big story move."

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Bucatinsky also dished about how his co-stars were emotional about his departure from the popular program.

"Everyone was very sweet, and [co-star] Jeff Perry and [casting director] Linda Lowy were standing there when we called wrap that day, which was my final scene, so it's been very supportive and loving but sad," Bucatinsky said. "Really just all of us mourning our relationships with each other in real life, even though we're all going to be friends for a long time, but also just the sadness of the character going."

Scandal airs on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.