After eight successful seasons, are creators Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon ready to bring back ‘Homeland’ for season 9?
The popular American spy thriller series ‘Homeland’ first aired on October 2, 2011. Its situation, around the world, has been inspired by an Israeli show titled ‘Hatufim‘. ‘Homeland’s’ Season 1 won both the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. Its gripping narrative, actor performances, and depiction of the global war on terrorism earned it high ratings and praises from the audience. It continued its successful run for seven more seasons on Showtime. Even today, ‘Homeland’ is the highest-rated and most-watched show in the history of Showtime.
HIGHLIGHTS —
- ‘Homeland’ Season 8 finale ending
- Was season 8 of ‘Homeland’ the end of Carrie Mathison?
- Is ‘Homeland’ cancelled?
‘Homeland’ Season 8 finale ending
According to many fans of the ‘Homeland’ series, the ending was truly jaw-dropping. In the finale, Carrie and her mentor Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) finally came face-to-face. Though it appeared as if Carrie had agreed to kill Saul for the Russians. Carrie approached Saul to tell the name of the spy or asset he was operating with inside the Russian government. Saul refused and argued with Carrie that killing one person they know is worth saving the lives of others.
Carrie ordered Saul’s assassination, but moments before the execution, she cancelled it. She only wanted Saul to think that she will. Carrie then went to his sister in Israel and told her that Saul is dead. It triggered her to give Carrie the name of the asset (Anna). To escape being captured by the Russians, Anna committed suicide.
In the last moments of the finale episode, ‘Homeland’ was forwarded two years ahead. We saw Carrie Mathison was in Moscow with Yevgeny and had published a book about the CIA. Saul received a package that contained a copy of the book with a hidden message in a tiny piece of paper concealed inside the binding, from Carrie. The same method of transferring information was used by Saul and his Russian asset, Anna. This only meant, Carrie had now taken Anna’s place as an informant.
Was season 8 of ‘Homeland’ the end of Carrie Mathison?
‘Homeland’ revolved around Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), who is a CIA field agent who struggles with bipolar disorder and manic schizophrenia.
In the final moments of season 8, Carrie was seen sending intelligence back to Saul. This left many fans hoping for a season 9 of ‘Homeland’.
In an interview with “TV Line”, Showrunner Alex Gansa was asked if it was the end of Carrie Mathison?
“Sadly, I really think so. It was such a unique and extraordinary experience. And I think the story ended where it should’ve ended. Howard says, ‘Never say never’, but I think all of us are beyond grateful for the experience and are now ready to go on and do something else. Who knows what will happen in five or six years, but at the moment, I feel like you have seen the last of her.”
Claire Danes also spoke about the final scene of ‘Homeland’ Season 8 with “The Guardian“. She felt that was her cathartic moment when she realised it was over because to say goodbye to it in its entirety was just too abstract and too huge.
Is ‘Homeland’ cancelled?
After releasing season 7 of ‘Homeland’ in 2018, the show took a long break. Season 8 of ‘Homeland’ premiered on February 9, 2020, and ended on April 26, 2020. The season had a total of twelve episodes.
In an interview with “Entertainment Weekly“, Alex Gansa spoke about season 8 of ‘Homeland’ as the final season. He spoke about how ‘Homeland’ was conceived as a story about a protégé and a mentor. The Saul and Carrie story had been the one constant through the eight seasons, and they got to bring that story to a close. It is the reason why Gansa stuck around for eight seasons, and he hopes they did some justice.
He further added about who knows what’s going to happen or what Claire and Mandy want to do? Who knows what Howard wants to do? He doesn’t know what that looks like, but for now, it feels like closure to him.
Tell us if you think the creators of ‘Homeland’ should plan a season 9 in the comment section down below!
