Apparently Kristin Kreuk got Allison Mack in, then got out herself.
Now I understand why her role in season ten was abbreviated and lackluster.
I quit watching after season 7. It was obvious that it had run it’s course and was starting to weaken. I may have caught one or two of the later episodes but not intentionally.
I will say that Kristin Kreuk was one pretty girl. I also suspect that she was shorter than she claims. They almost always have her wearing high heel boots.