Only a week after Deadliest Catch captains Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand were sued by Discovery network comes word that the Time Bandit captains and Sig Hansen have quit the smash-hit cable series. The Hollywood Reporter dishes that the trio issued a statement on Tuesday outlining that they were “unable” to continue on the documentary series because of the lawsuit.

“We have been through a lot over the past year and unfortunately, given the current situation with Discovery, we are unable to continue participating in Deadliest Catch,” the document read. “It has been a fantastic ride, and we wish the best to all of the amazing and supportive Catch fans we have met over the years.”

Discovery has not issued a statement yet, but they can’t be happy about this development. Not only are the three captains very much the heart and soul of the show, but the series itself is coming off of record ratings since documenting the real-life death of Catch captain Phil Harris, who succumbed to complications from a stroke in January.

Discovery filed a $3 million lawsuit against the Hillstrand brothers after they walked away from production of a spinoff series that focused solely on them. Hansen later weighed in on the lawsuit, backing his fishing co-stars.

“I want people to know the captains stand together, and me and my brothers support them 100 per cent,” Hansen stated on behalf of himself and the crew of the Northwestern.

Now, with the 2010-11 snow crab season approaching in October and production of the series ramping up, Discovery is missing three key cast members. Four if you count the late Harris.

‘ Deadliest Catch’ Captains Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand Quit