'Glee' Season 5 Spoilers: 5 Cast Members Promoted to Series Regulars

Many fans were disappointed to hear that four original cast members from Fox's hit musical comedy "Glee" were not returning as series regulars in the upcoming season. However, new details have come out that may cheer fans up. On Saturday, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported that five New Directions members were being promoted to series regulars.

According to THR, Melissa Benoist (Marley), Jacob Artist (Jake), Becca Tobin (Kitty) and "The Glee Project" alums Blake Jenner and Alex Newell were promoted to series regulars for season five. The news comes just one day after it was announced that original cast members Heather Morris (Brittany), Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) were no longer regulars.

The four characters, along with fellow original New Directions member Quinn (Dianna Agron) and guidance councilor Emma (Jayma Mays), are expected to make guest appearances as they had done in season four. As previously reported, Morris' departure from the show hardly came as a surprise after she announced that she was pregnant with her first child back in April.

In related "Glee" news, it was announced that Jayma Mays has been tapped to co-star in the CBS comedy "The Millers" alongside Will Arnett. Mays will be replacing "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Debbie, who is sister to Will Arnett's Nathan. According to THR, Ellis played the role of Debbie opposite Michael Rappaport, who was also replaced, during the pilot season.

"Glee" was renewed for both a fifth and sixth season in April. According to THR, the promotions of the five actors "come as little surprise [as] all five have been considered the future of the series as its original core cast marches towards the show's latest graduation."

"Glee" returns for its fifth season on Thursday, September 19 at 9 p.m. EST on Fox.