Magnum P.I.'s showrunner says the upcoming series finale will be a satisfying conclusion for fans.
The reboot series producer Eric Guggenheim spoke to Collider about NBC's abrupt decision to end the Jay Hernandez-led show as its final run of episodes for Season 5 are currently airing. Though the upcoming finale titled "The Big Squeeze" was not filmed intentionally as a conclusion to the series, Guggenheim believes that the audience that supported Magnum since its CBS years will be pleased with the ending. "In the case of this season, the finale was not written to be a series finale, but because we hadn’t gotten a pickup, we did take that possibility into consideration as we were crafting it," Guggenheim said.
He continued, "When you watch it, you’ll see that we were clearly teeing up some stuff for a Season 6. But first and foremost, we wanted to make sure we covered our bases and that the episode worked as a series finale, if need be. The last thing we want is for the viewers who have been so wonderful and who have stuck by the show for almost 100 episodes to go away frustrated. That would not be fair. They don’t deserve that. So, while a couple of things are left unresolved, I do feel like there is enough closure that it works as a finale."
Developed by Guggenheim and Peter M. Lenkov, Magnum P.I. is a remake of the classic '80s CBS action series starring Tom Selleck and created by the team of Quantum Leap's Donald Bellasario and Knight Rider's Glen Larson. First airing on CBS in 2018, the new Magnum stars Hernandez in the title role of ex-US Navy SEAL Thomas Magnum who works as a security consultant in Hawaii for famed author Robin Masters. Working alongside ex-MI6 agent Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) as well as his military pals Rick (Zachary Knighton) and T.C. (Stephen Hill), Magnum solves crimes all around the Aloha State.
It's the Second Time the Show Has Been Canceled
In 2022, Magnum P.I. was canceled by CBS, being the most-watched series to get axed at the time. NBC quickly swooped in and renewed the series for 20 episodes to be split into two parts for the fifth season. Co-star Hill was surprised by the fan support that led to the renewal. "I am very responsive to all the fans behind the scenes," Hill said. "They let me know they were doing the billboard in Times Square. They let me know they were sending a couple of thousand leis to NBC. I also knew the higher-ups, the executives of the show, were working day and night to bring the show back, as well. There was always hope for us. I am very grateful for the people behind the scenes who worked very hard to bring us back."
Magnum P.I. airs on Wednesday nights on NBC.
Source: Collider