year contract only because he did not believe the  show would last more than one season. He also found it difficult to  turn down the money and the chance to work with  Frederic Forrest (qv). But the show became a huge success mostly  due to Depps presence. By the third season, Depp was chafing at  having to stay with the show instead of accepting various film  offers. He began to complain about the scripts and often gave  listless performances. With the help of his lawyers, Depp was  released from his contract and left the show after the fourth  season.