Will Brothers & Sisters' Fifth Season Be Its Last?
Will ABC's Brothers & Sisters end its run after the upcoming fifth season? That's the rumor going around, although the current show-runner says it's news to him.
Despite casting upheaval and a reduced order for Season Five, executive producer David Marshall Grant tells EW: "No one has told me that it's the last season."
ABC ordered only 18 episodes, down from the usual 22-25, and the show was already plagued with budgetary issues, casting changes and hierarchical discord.
The loss of key members like Rob Lowe and Emily VanCamp, plus the uncertain status of Calista Flockhart and Balthazar Getty, has fueled speculation that things are winding down.
Then there's the flash forward component.
As good as Brothers & Sisters is, the show may be unraveling.
Next season will reportedly begin a year after the fourth season finale, with the characters having moved on, but with plenty of past and present drama to explore.
Some are calling next year's one-year time jump as jumping the shark, Grant sees it as a shot in the arm for the series that could actually lead to more seasons.
"I'm actually looking at this season as a fresh beginning," he says.
"That's one of the interesting things you can do when you jump a year. I want to put [our characters] in fresh and different places, and hopefully that will have legs."
Will it, though? What do you think? Should Brothers & Sisters wrap things up following the 2010-11 season, or can you see it lasting for years to come?
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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Sarah: She will never be the mother she should have been. It's up to you whether or not you want the mother you got.
May 29th, 2011 8:24 PM
The show should continue into a 6th episode because it is the first "dramedy" about family I have seen on TV and it has been very good. Sally Field is an outstanding actress, Calista flockhart is really good as well as Rachel Griffiths. Good actors are all except Balthazar Getty who convinces no one. Dave Annable has become during the whole series a very good actor, full of expression. To revive the series, friends should be introduced: the strange thing about the Walker family is ist has no friends whatever and that does not happen in well knit families like this one or on ordinary families. This is the best TV series I have seen in my life.Please continue it.
December 24th, 2010 12:39 PM
LOVE THE SHOW. KEEP IT GOING FOR YEARS TO COME.
August 13th, 2010 12:52 PM
This show should continue. Many people enjoy it -- the reality of a family. All the good shows seem shor-lived like Judging Amy, Thirty Something, Once and Again etc., etc.
August 3rd, 2010 2:21 AM
I did not like when Tommy and his wife left. I really liked her. ususally the show spouses are the best. I love the show and I hope it lasts as long as ER. Each actor is great, funny and loveable. You are all great writers and you made a perfect show. Nora, Sara, Luke, rebecca,my policic Kitty and her "senator husband Rob new half brother Ryan, Saul, Justin, Kevin, Tommy, Judy, and kevin;s male spouse (sorry, his name slip my mind)
You can not and should not get rid of the Nora's kids- come on, this show is about all the Walkers, taking them away will kill the show. Kitty, you are my only favority Republican pal. Please DO NOT GO. it is bad enough they tookk of Tommy. why Tommy did you leave?
July 9th, 2010 4:10 PM
I love B&S but I think S05 should def. be the last one. This so called "freshing beginning" IMO is a complete mischaracterization of the series. Now that all William's secrets were revealed and Ojai was sold, there is no mores ties and they can finally move on with ther lives. This is where the series was moving to and now that it got there, it should end before it starts to get forced and lame.