‘Magnum P.I.’ Cancelled Again As NBC End Series With Season 5b
Just as we got the news ‘Magnum P.I.‘ would be returning to UK screens this month, it’s been revealed NBC has decided not to extend the order beyond their initial 20-episode order for Season 5.
The action-packed Hawaiian-based detective drama is a modern take on the classic series centring on Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez – ‘Scandal’, ‘Suicide Squad’), a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business. Alongside Hernandez, the series stars Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton as Orville “Rick” Wright, Stephen Hill as Theodore “T.C.” Calvin, Amy Hill as Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta, and Tim Kang as HPD Detective Gordon Katsumoto.
‘Magnum’ had managed to escape death once, after CBS decided to cancel the drama last year, and NBC swooped in and saved it for their network, ordering a 20-episode 5th season, airing in two halves. The problem is, things are rather in flux on the networks, due to cost-cutting and the writer’s strike. With 10 episodes already in the bag to cover the “fall season”, and it being unclear when they would be able to return to shooting, it put NBC in a tricky situation.
NBC could have extended the cast contracts and kept them in a (potentially, very long) holding pattern. Or they could release the cast, and end the show with Season 5. They chose the latter. Unlike last time the series dodged cancellation, there is no clear option for renewal this time, so it seems likely this is the end for real.
We kick things off with Season 5 (Part 1) in the UK this Sunday, as Magnum and Higgins weigh the risks of pursuing a relationship. Rick juggles being a new father and running La Mariana, and Katsumoto tries to figure out his next move.
‘Magnum P.I.‘ Season 5 – Part 1, premieres Sunday, 25th June 2023 at 9pm on Sky Max in the UK.
3 comments
Why are people like nbc so blind, there was a huge outpouring of support to bring magnum back when cbs dropped it and now nbc are short sighted. This is one of the best shows for years and as a previous comment said, has good watch figures. Yes I am in the uk and trying to navigate the ‘how to stream from the uk’ minefield. Sort yourself out NBC or someone and give magnum the home it deserves and more series, it’s a lot better than some of the other stuff you keep renewing… which I wouldn’t even watch if it was playing in the uk!
Magnum PI has been a good family detective show but like many detective shows the characters have to reach a perfect storyline end and so the drama and action stops.
The network has been a real pain to viewers because we loved it, it was well watched and suddenly got dumped with no perfect end. Then NBC said they would have it and gave it the end and dumped it! It’s been a problem waiting so long for season 5 in the UK and we finally got it but just 10 episodes! People don’t stream and hang on waiting for the conclusion in a part 2. It would have been better to run the whole season together. It’s like a stop and start so people lose interest! We won’t get told when the second half will be in the UK, it would have been great to have it in October with America, but no, we have to stream it! Most won’t do we just have to wait knowing that it will just be 10 episodes to conclude it for good! It would have been much better to just pick it up and play it at the time it’s being watched rather than a stop start, stream or wait longer! We loved watching it but the networks do what works for them not watchers!
Gutted. It was such a great series. They got the casting just right. Including changing higgins to a lady. Perdit is such a great actor and brought higgins to life. It got everything right. Plus it was a show that had everything you could want in a show funny, drama, action, romance, suspense. It’s sad that tv company’s don’t stick with programs anymore. They just cancel no matter what fans say and if the ratings are good
Login to Geektown