‘Castle’ Spoilers, Update: Kate Beckett Faces Canny Ally or Rival in Inspector Zhang?; Season 8 still uncertain with Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic's expiring contracts?

By Staff Writer

Mar 05 2015, 06:53 AM EST

Kate Beckett has a new ally or rival? Linda Park of 'Star Trek' fame is the guest star on ABC's series 'Castle' season 7's episode 17 that will air on March 16. According to show's producer David Amman, Park portrays a top-notch Hong Kong cop who may formidable accomplice, but too mysterious for Stana Katic's role Kate. It seems the thrill boils down to who's wiser and deadlier woman in episode entitled 'Hong Kong Hustle.'

"Kind of like Beckett, except even better, so that puts Beckett in a bit of a tailspin, to be dealing with somebody who in her eyes is more accomplished and proficient," Castle writer-producer Amman's description to Park's character Inspector Zhang.

As the female lead, Kate is always been admired with her toughness and work ethics, however as she needs to solve another crime the task is possibly tougher than usual. Based on synopsis for 17th episode, her team needs to solve another case that involves a man killed in a suspicious way. This where Zhang will enter in her life as she's the key person to get information they need. The problem is she possibly not a regular comrade she can get, perhaps because of Zhang's caliber or ulterior motive.

"But as Beckett digs deeper into the case, she realizes neither her Hong Kong colleague nor the victim may be quite who they seem," an excerpt of this episode.

Since Beckett seems threatened with Zhang's presence in the first place as shown on promo video (watch it here), what will she do then if the accomplished Inspector is actually the criminal? Another interesting to note is Zhang's possible cannier approach to Beckett's suspicion in the episode written by Chad Gomez Creasey and directed by Jann Turner.

Meantime, Castle's season 8 is still uncertain story-wise or actors' renewal of contracts. According to TV Guide, show's lead stars Nathan Fillion and Katic's contracts are expiring. With their interview with Amman, the Castle's boss is clueless too, but definitely hoping for the best and gearing to entertain more the viewers.

"We're hopeful that everything gets resolved. In the meantime, we're just building the best end of the season that we can. Obviously, we've thought about a bunch of different scenarios, but our main obligation is to our audience and to deliver great shows. That's what we'll be trying to do, and we think we have a bunch of them lined up all the way to the end," Amman said.