MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-Irish actor and singer Darren Criss’s “Glee” character has been upgraded to a series regular along with Harry Shum Jr.’s Mike Chang in the forthcoming season three. Meanwhile, it was bad news for Chord Overstreet who failed to make the series regular cut as Sam.

Despite the implied story line during season two’s finale about Sam dating Mercedes (Amber Riley), “Glee” bosses relegated the Bieber-styled crooner’s character to guest star in the next season, TVGuide.com reported July 2.

Overstreet confirmed the setback via Twitter when he posted, “Well it’s been a good year too bad it’s over, time for summer and starting fresh.”

He later implied quitting the show for a solo music career by saying “I will deff (definitely) make a solo album! There is nothing stopping me.”

On the other hand, it was a no-brainer that Criss was named regular. His character Blaine has made such a huge impact since he debuted as the Warblers frontman and Kurt’s (Chris Colfer) love interest. Criss’s version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” tops “Glee’s” best-loved covers. He went on to cover more memorable numbers including the Valentine’s Day-themed episode finale “Silly Love Songs” and “Bills Bills Bills” from the “Super Bowl” show.

Blaine has since morphed into a desired character and performer on the show that it was once reported that fans were craving for a spin-off with Blaine as central character. Criss said he welcomes the idea.

Early this year, “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy announced via Perezhilton.com that major characters will soon be leaving the show after season three because most of them will be graduating from McKinley High. Finn and Puck, played by Cory Monteith and Mark Salling, are seniors in the fictional high school.

It does not help that the actors playing the characters are already in their late 20s, making their “Glee” dismissal inevitable.

“Every year we’re going to populate a new group (of characters in the show). There’s nothing more depressing than a high schooler with a bald spot. I think you have to be true to the fact that here is a group of people who come and go in these teachers’ lives – they graduate and they’re gone,” Murphy said in a statement to perezhilton.com.

Murphy added that the characters’ exit episodes promise to be very emotional. “When some of them finish their run at high school it will be very teary episodes,” he expressed.

Graduating characters, however, means new ones are to be fleshed out. Murphy and the show’s writers say they can weave new and interesting protagonists for the series.

“For me it will be particularly tough (seeing them go) but a new crop (of actors) will come in,” said Murphy. “I was concerned about that (whether to have characters graduate and leave the show) because those kids caught on so quickly – but I think one of the things I’m very happy we’ve been able to do this years is we’ve brought in new characters.”