“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy says that this will be the last season for three stars: 

Chris Colfer, Lea Michele and Cory Monteith.

Regardless of how “shocking” this may be, they weren’t going to play high school kids forever.  Chris is 21 . . . Lea will be 25 next month . . . and Cory is 29.

Ryan said, quote, “You can keep them on the show for six years and people will criticize you for not being realistic, or you can be really true to life . . . that was more real, I felt it was more responsible and true to the fans.”

More characters will also be graduating after this season.  They’ll be revealed on the season premiere September 20th.  Ryan wouldn’t reveal any more names . . . he just said, quote, “More characters are leaving than are staying.”

By the way, Ryan also said that he’s meeting Chord Overstreet soon to discuss a return to the show.  Some fans freaked out when the news broke that his option wasn’t picked up . . . but Ryan said they always intended for him to return.

He added that the writers have been writing him in to upcoming episodes.