Is Netflix all set to revive ‘Homeland’ for another season with a new cast?
An espionage-thriller like no other, ‘Homeland’ is one of Showtime’s highest-rated shows of all time. It is based on the Israeli series ‘Prisoners of War’, and has been composed by genius showrunners Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa. The show ran for 8 seasons between 2011 and 2020. The multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award-wining spy-thriller had fans hooked to its unpredictable plot and complex characters from the get-go. The series gained widespread popularity, finding fans even in the likes of former U.S. President Barack Obama and diplomat Hillary Clinton. However, now that Showtime has announced that it will not be renewing the show for any more seasons, is Netflix ready to take over and produce its ninth season? Will Claire Danes not be returning for the new season? These questions and many more have been on the minds of fans. Let’s look for some answers!
Highlights —
- ‘Homeland’– A series that became a phenomenon
- ‘Homeland’ cancelled by Showtime after season 8
- Is Netflix stepping in to revive ‘Homeland’ for a season 9?
- Will there be no Claire Danes in the next season?
The phenomenon known as ‘Homeland’
The series follows the character of Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA operations officer with bipolar disorder, who comes to believe that an American marine, Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), who had been held captive by the Al-Qaeda, is now a double agent posing a threat to national security. The show focuses on Mathison’s ongoing covert assignments as well as her relationship with Brody. This premise led to some remarkable storylines and a show that would stay with fans for a long time.
Probably one of the main highlights of the show is the compelling performances of the cast members who leave no stone unturned in giving you unforgettable characters.
The show was off to a banging start in 2011, with its first season receiving a rating of “100% Fresh” from Rotten Tomatoes, and had the attention of the American audiences pretty much immediately. Soon the series found success in other countries as well with its taut edge of the seat thrills. The show saw critical and popular acclaim throughout its run making it one of Showtime’s most successful ventures till date.
Homeland’ cancelled by Showtime after 8 seasons
In August 2018, Showtime confirmed that season 8 would be the last of ‘Homeland’. The final season sees Mathison losing all faith in the American government and relying on the Russians for help. Mathison finally comes a full circle as she ends up becoming what she had set out to expose in the first season – a double agent. The finale ends with her defying her mission to kill her mentor, Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin), and becoming an informant for him in Russia.
Talking about the final season of the show, Showtime’s co-president, Gary Levine said, “Homeland is an ambitious series — especially in its final season. Alex Gansa wants to go out proudly …”
However, now that Showtime has cancelled the series, has it found its saviour in Netflix? Here’s what we know!
Is Netflix producing a season 9 without Claire Danes?
Showrunner Alex Gansa has gone on record to say that he would consider a season 9 if a streaming platform such as Netflix decides to step in.
“As [co-creator Howard Gordon] has said, ‘never say never’. All of us are happy with where we ended the show and the series. Another chapter doesn’t feel necessary at the moment”, he told TVLine. Nevertheless, he teased, “But who knows what’s going to happen? Who knows what Claire and Mandy want to do? Who knows what Howard wants to do? We don’t know what that looks like. For now, it feels like closure”, thus, hinting at a possible revival. However, there is no confirmation from Netflix yet.
Whether Claire Danes will return if a season 9 happens is something only time can tell. While talking about her experience while playing the role, Danes told “The Guardian”, “I loved [Carrie]. It was just so nice to play the smartest person in the room, somebody who was so daring and unapologetically ambitious and such a badass. She’s not really going away”, possibly indicating that she might be open to playing the role again in the future. Also, considering how the show has constantly been associated with Danes’ extraordinary performance, it would be difficult to imagine the show continuing without her.
Do you think Netflix should revive the show and produce a Homeland season 9? Would you like to see a new season without Claire Danes? Write to us in the comment section below.
