Are you a big Homeland fan? Recently, co-creator Alex Gansa spoke with Deadline about the Showtime series’ final episode and possible revival.
The political thriller centers on Carrie : (Claire Danes), a CIA officer with bipolar disorder. The cast also includes Mandy Patinkin, Maury Sterling, Linus Roache, Costa Ronin, Nimrat Kaur, and Numan Acar.
WARNING: SERIES FINALE SPOILERS AHEAD!
Speaking to Deadline, Gansa said that Carrie really did betray her country and Saul in the final episode of Homeland:
In other words, let me be clear, Carrie really did betray Saul, really did betray her country, really did affect the death of a very important American asset in Moscow. And here is Carrie, at the very end, replacing that asset, becoming that asset, herself, and the glimmer of a repaired relationship with Saul is possible, at the very end. So, that was what we were going for, in that last 15 minutes.
Gansa later revealed that the idea for Carrie’s book was last minute:
I didn’t have that idea until Wednesday morning, before we shot the scenes, on Thursday morning, and our amazing production designer John Kretschmer put that f*cking book together, got people to clear the photograph, put that glorious book together, wrote all the copy for the cover, the inside book jacket. So, I mean, just unbelievable, what he did in the time allotted. Unbelievable.
The last season, Gansa says, was meant to mirror the first season and Nicholas Brody’s (Damien Lewis) experience:
Well, the season is really founded on two big ideas, and you mentioned one of them, and that is this tactic of putting Carrie in the very last episode, in the very last season, in the same shoes that Brody was in, in the very first season. That idea was born on a bridge in Budapest, at the end of Season 7, when we were all standing around and watching that amazing scene between Claire and Mandy, and all of the sudden, it just struck me that my God, you know, Carrie really is in a very similar situation to Brody – having been in captivity. Now, Carrie, having been in captivity, and there was a crazily poetic justice to all of the sudden having her be the one under suspicion.
And what about a future revival for the Showtime series? Gansa says:
Well, that’s certainly true but I think what we were thinking more was to allow this story to continue in the imaginations of our fans. Not to abruptly end the story, but to let it continue, and let the people think about, my God, what happens next? Rather than answer that question, just let the hope of that carry you through.”
What do you think? Do you watch Homeland? Were you satisfied with the finale?
I totally have loved this entire series. The finale was spectacular! But it left me wanting more. I know that you want us to think for ourselves and come up with our own “fantasy.” But your writers and actors are SO wonderful, there is no way we can possibly do it justice. So, how about it? Please go forward and let us know what Carrie does as the new asset within the Kremlin! We our viewers clamor for it; please listen!!!
Phenomenal ending, which, in my opinion, rarely happens in long-running series. Often, the viewers are left with too many unanswered questions, too many open issues, and a myriad of characters whose paths were not carried out. Unlike some of my favorites (Carnivale, The Sopranos, and Penny Dreadful), Homeland brought us all back to the beginning, never lost a step with its many plot twists, never failed to keep us on the edge of our seats, completely engulfed us in the true-to-life feel of the sets and location shots, consistently introduced amazingly talented writers and actors, and yes, it also left… Read more »
Loved the ending! Done well!
Great ending
Get the series Homeland going — don’t stop now.
Thank you to all for a most satisfying ending to an incredible show. I’ve watched from the beginning and you gave me all I could have wanted for a finale.
PLEASE keep Homeland – it is my favorite show & it always keeps you guessing!!!! Your FANS want you to keep it going, so please make us happy & dot that!!!!!
If there was ever a show besides 24 to continue it it definitely HOMELAND !!!
Please keep it going !!!!!!!!!!
Please continue with Homeland. I love Sual and Carrie. They are both such strong characters. Please please do more seasons with them. A lot of people in the Peoria IL area love that show. Oh tell them that I love them. I also would love to meet them. Thanks.
Absolutely Homeland was one of the top three series in TV land. Homeland was always suspenseful , meaningful, well acted, and very well produced. Really would love to see a full screen movie whereby Carrie continues being an american asset.
Nailed the ending, thanks.
The entire series was presented with meaningful and well thought out scripts, fantastically acted with both exciting and heart-pounding episodes. The final chapter was delivered with a well developed as well as satisfying ending. Kudos to all involved with the series and a wish that somehow there will be more in the future.
Loved the finale, but I really really wish that you would reconsider continuing it. It is one of the top shows on TV!
Loved Homeland and the finale! Please keep this series going! PLEASE!!!!
Love Homeland and the finale!! Please continue this series. PLEASE!!!