Banshee TV show on Cinemax. Pictured: Antony Starr. Credit: Gregory Shummon/Cinemax.
What are you going to do, now? The Banshee TV series finale, “Requiem,” airs tonight, on Cinemax. Showrunner Jonathan Tropper, who created the show with David Schickler, talks about why they made the decision to end the show after four seasons, leaving Banshee effectively cancelled by its creative team.
Banshee stars Antony Starr as Lucas Hood, who is back in town after a couple of years, where there is a serial killer on the prowl. The Banshee TV show cast also includes Ivana Miličević, Ulrich Thomsen, Frankie Faison, Hoon Lee, Matt Servitto, Ryann Shane, Lili Simmons, Tom Pelphrey, Eliza Dushku, Casey LaBow, Chris Coy, and Ana Ayora.
Banshee TV show on Cinemax. Pictured: Tom Pelphrey, Matt Servitto. Credit: Gregory Shummon/Cinemax.
Here is what Tropper tells Collider, about the decision to end the Banshee after this fourth and final season:
What made four seasons the right end point for this show, and what made eight episodes the right number for this season? Is that just what you needed to tell this particular story?
TROPPER: The fourth season being the last season was a combination of factors. I was always upset when shows I loved stuck around too long and starting generating extra plot. Once we ended Season 3 and Lucas Hood was basically no longer the sheriff, the premise of the show was about a fake sheriff, so going on for many more seasons, it would have been ridiculous for him to become the sheriff again. The town itself might have had plenty of stories to tell, but it felt like the story of Lucas Hood was coming to an end. All the pitches we came up with, for how to extend that, felt like, “Well, maybe that’s cool, but that’s a different show.” The move to Lucas’ post-sheriff life was the beginning of the end. It was the beginning of the conclusion, and trying to have a conclusion for two seasons, it felt like we would lose some of the immediacy of the storytelling. And ending with eight episodes was really a financial decision. We have a finite amount of money. To have done ten episodes at that budget, we would not have been able to deliver the action we wanted to deliver, and we wouldn’t have been able to deliver the depth of episodes that we’re accustomed to doing. So, we decided to do eight episodes and make them really rich.
[…]
Banshee TV show on Cinemax. Pictured: Eliza Dushku. Credit: Gregory Shummon/Cinemax.
Looking back on the run of the series and everything you were able to accomplish with it, what are you most proud of?
TROPPER: I’m just proud that we got a show on the air when there was no precedent for this kind of show. We pitched a show that didn’t resemble any other show, and then we executed the show in a way that it didn’t resemble any other show. On paper, this show sounded pretty insane. We somehow convinced the guys at Cinemax to let us do it, and they let us do it without really messing with it. We had a show that, in a million years, couldn’t show up on a broadcast network, and hadn’t even shown up on any of the premium networks. In the four years since, you do see a lot of other shows like that starting to happen, but I really do think that we put the kind of show on the air, with the cinematic storytelling and action that we were doing, and the kind of heightened pulp, that really carved its own niche and hadn’t been on the air before. I’m really proud of that. I don’t think I could have even done the show that I’m doing now for Cinemax, if Banshee hadn’t come first.
Banshee TV show on Cinemax. Pictured: Ivana MIlicevic. Credit: Gregory Shummon/Cinemax.
Here is the Cinemax description of the Banshee TV series finale, “Requiem.” Watch a preview, below.
Episode #38 (season 4, episode 8): “Requiem” (series finale)
Debut: FRIDAY, MAY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Other CINEMAX playdates: May 20 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 21 (9:00 p.m., 12:20 a.m.), 22 (4:30 p.m.), 23 (8:00 p.m., 12:35 a.m.), 24 (2:25 a.m.), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 29 (11:15 p.m.)
Resolved to leave Banshee, Lucas learns that the murder case he thought was finally closed may in fact be opening again. After a tense faceoff with Calvin and the Brotherhood, Proctor looks to finalize his deal with the Colombians. Carrie takes aim at one final act of vengeance. Brock demands allegiance from Bunker (Tom Pelphrey) as Banshee braces for an uncertain future.
Written by Jonathan Tropper; directed by Ole Christian Madsen.
BANSHEE was created by Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler; executive producers, Alan Ball, Greg Yaitanes, Jonathan Tropper, Peter Macdissi, Adam Targum, Ole Christian Madsen; producer, Robert F. Phillips.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the Banshee TV show? Is it ending at the right time, or do you wish Banshee had been renewed for a fifth season? How do you want the Banshee TV series finale to end?
So so sad to see it leave the air. I was hoping to see it go on with each of the character’s
Helping each other
I just will never understand why end a great show Cinemax? So many crap TV shows that last more than 10 season. Hopefully someone will come to realize that this shows needs to come back and pick it up. Unfortunately “p the best villain of the last 4 years on any TV show was killed off during the last episode. We will miss you Mr. Glasses. Hope to see you soon on another show. The good news is the Knick will be back for 4 more seasons after someone realized what a mistake it would have been ending it after… Read more »
This series was amazing, I wish it could go on longer! I find myself fast-forwarding through every television show I watch nowadays, but Banshee was just simply amazing. I never felt the need to rush through because there was engagement at every turn. Thank you all for delivering a show like this.
I loved the show Banshee. It was one of my favorite shows. I feel the series ended too soon. I thought 5 seasons would have been better to tie up the loose ends after introducing new characters like Bunker and Calvin. I would have liked to see a back story to how they got involved in the Brotherhood and what made Bunker leave them. There should have been a back story to Job and Burton as well as Proctor. I hope they will create some kind of spin-off show about one of the characters from the show or a prequel… Read more »
Absolutely a mistake to end the show after 4 seasons. Like another poster said, we have seen many shows that are **** do 10 seasons……they could have, and should have gone to 6-7 seasons and ended there. I wanted to see more of Bunker/evolving stories. I think the creator of this show will look back on this in a few years and say “What was I thinking ending a show THIS GOOD after only 4 seasons”?
It’s so sad it was the final season. This was the highlight to us and one of the best series we have enjoyed. Really hope they consider more seasons. Maybe Wood and Job can start something in New York?
I LOVE JOB! PLEASE CREATE A SPIN OFF STARRING JOB! #YOUWANTTOBETHEBEST
I feel a bit said that this EPIC show ended so fast, but it also make it much more interesting than other sows, because of the story and the uniqueness of the idea, and of course for the ending part. I really enjoyed this show. We can say that is similar with Game of Thrones by its strange uniqueness.
You have created a show with enough depth and connection with the characters the allow you the opportunity to take a different (but similar/familair) direction. I have viewed and enjoyed a wide range of TV series, from commitment of Lost(something good that lasted too long) to Justified (that we dessreved more). What I’m trying to say is that there is plenty of crap on tele, and people will continue to watch/follow (possibly me) these shows. You have created an engaging cast and enthralling story line, I challenge you to create a new story line and take us along for the… Read more »
I can’t stop crying that was am amazing show….please bring it back
great show and characters.
Can’t believe they cancelled this show. The characters were so amazing and the storyline I feel could have continued. I’m so sad to say goodbye to Lucas Hood and the gang. Doesn’t seem right.
stop saying cancelled it’s ended that’s different.
Hey! It’s a great show. Always keeps one entertained with plenty of mystery, emotion and of course action! Yes “Requiem” episode as its ending fits perfectly! “please don’t forget about me!” Banshee = awesomeness! 😛
Brave decision to end the show when the story was basically told and the plot played out. I thoroughly enjoyed all 4 seasons.
I feel that you could’ve began where it all began. Start showing how Anna and Hood first met and all of that story line leading up to him going to jail and her going into hiding. That would be an awesome new story line!!!!
dont end this show please please please
The concept for Banshee was truly original. Something we needed, and do not get offered often from Hollywood. The array of characters was extremely entertaining, and the actors portraying them, flawless. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every episode. It is hard to see it end, because it was addictive, original, and that alone makes it difficult to give up; however, I would rather they end the show by tying up as many loose ends to viewer satisfaction, than dragging it out just to keep it going. Thank you to the cast and crew of Banshee, it was a great… Read more »