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.