httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0TDf8aBgiA

The CBS sitcom “Kevin Can Wait” revealed Tuesday how it is dealing with the exit of actress Erinn Hayes, who played Kevin James’ wife, Donna, in the first season: She’s being killed off, CBS told the Television Critics Association.

So unless t’s a zombie episode, last season was likely the last we’ll see of the actress on the show.

“The character will have passed away, and we will be moving forward in time, catching up at a later date,” CBS programming executive Thom Sherman said, per Entertainment Tonight.

Jeff Neumann/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images Of course Donna’s tragic demise will leave James more room to interact with Leah Remini, his former “King of Queens” wife who joined “Kevin Can Wait” for a few episodes last season as a former rival cop.

She was invited back as a regular when Hayes was let go.

Jeff Neumann/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images Entertainment Weekly reported that James’ character will become an employee of a security company run by Remini this season.

“I think when everybody collectively saw how Leah and Kevin were together in those last couple of episodes, t was an undeniable spark t,” CBS President Kelly Kahl told reporters, per EW. “I think Leah and the studio and network got together and we wanted to keep that magic together.”

Season 2 of “Kevin Can Wait” is set to premiere Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. ET. Also on HuffPost.

Erinn Hayes