'Finn' Departure to Be Drug Addiction Related, Cast to Film PSA's, Establish Monteith Fund

At this morning's Television Critics Association upfronts, FOX entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly revealed to reporters that Finn Hudson, the fictional Glee high school quarterback played by the late actor Cory Monteith, will be written out of the series in the season's third episode. No details were given as to whether the character will be killed off in the storyline.

"Cory's character will be written off and [it] will deal directly with drug addiction and the circumstances surrounding Cory's death," Reilly said, adding that the cast and creators of the series will film public service announcements related to drug addiction.

It was also announced that proceeds from the third episode will be donated to a new fund set up in honor of the actor who passed away last month as a result of an accidental drug overdose.

Reilly explained that rather than starting off the season with the difficult task of dealing with Monteith's passing, the first two Episodes will feature an upbeat tribute to the Beatles. "It would be difficult to come out of the gate right away and then recover," he commented.

Following the broadcast of the third episode, the drama series will most likely take a three week hiatus for the World Series championship. The break will give the show's writers time to "reset" the series.

The cast is set to begin production on the fifth season on Monday, August 5th.