There’s good news and bad news for fans of USA Network’s In Plain Sight TV series. The cable channel has renewed the drama for an abbreviated fifth season. Unlike the past seasons, there will only be eight episodes this time around — versus the usual 12-15 installments.
And sadly, season five will also be the last for In Plain Sight. USA has decided to end the series but has fortunately given the cast and crew advance notice to be able to craft a series finale. The final season will kick off next spring.
Here’s the press release about USA’s renewal and “cancellation:”
USA NETWORK’S “IN PLAIN SIGHT” RETURNS FOR FIFTH SEASON WITH EIGHT EXPLOSIVE EPISODES IN SPRING 2012
Mary McCormack, Frederick Weller, Paul Ben Victor and Rachel Boston Will Star in the Television Event of the Spring Featuring Unexpected Plot Twists and Surprising Guest Stars
NEW YORK – August 11, 2011 – After concluding its fourth season with season high ratings, IN PLAIN SIGHT, USA Network’s hit original scripted series starring Mary McCormack (“The West Wing”), will return for its fifth and final season in Spring 2012. The announcement was made today by USA Co-Presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber.
“IN PLAIN SIGHT is an integral part of our original programming slate and we are proud of its critical and commercial success,” said McCumber and Wachtel. “With a talented cast led by the incredible Mary McCormack, the fifth and most explosive season is sure to bring in new audiences with its provocative themes and unexpected story arcs.”
In its shocking season four finale, Mary (Mary McCormack) saved Marshall (Frederick Weller), Stan (Paul Ben Victor) and a witness from near-death in an ambush, but later Mary goes into premature labor after seeing Brandi (Nicole HIltz) flee her wedding to Peter (Joshua Malina). With Marshall, Jinx (Lesley Ann Warren) and ex-husband Mark (Bryan Callen) at her side, a frightened Mary cries out, “I’m not ready.”
The final gripping season of IN PLAIN SIGHT will keep viewers on the edge of their seats with heart-pounding storylines all building to an unforgettable finale. Can Mary blend motherhood with her very dangerous profession? Or will she put the infant up for adoption? Will Marshall finally admit his feelings for Mary, or can he make his relationship with Abigail (Rachel Boston) work? Can Brandi and Peter ever reconcile? After opening up her heart to Raph (Cristian de la Fuente) and Faber (Steven Weber), is it possible for Mary to fall in love again? And the question that has haunted Mary her entire life, where is her father?
Mary McCormack and cast Frederick Weller, Paul Ben Victor and Rachel Boston will return as series regulars, and Lesley Ann Warren, Nichole Hiltz and Tangie Ambrose are expected to recur for the final season. The new season will feature the cast and top name guest stars in more exciting and surprising story arcs than ever. Ed Decter and John J. Strauss (“There’s Something About Mary”) will return as executive producers with Dan Lerner as executive producer/director. Natalie Chaidez is executive producer. Michael Reisz is co-executive producer. IN PLAIN SIGHT is produced by Universal Cable Productions and is shot entirely on location in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.
IN PLAIN SIGHT stars McCormack as Mary Shannon, a U.S. Marshal working in the highly secretive branch of the witness protection program (WITSEC), who relocates Federal Witnesses, most of whom fall into three categories: career criminals, whistle-blowers or innocents who had the misfortune of witnessing a crime. They all have one thing in common – someone wants them dead. Mary’s job is to see that doesn’t happen, while at the same time attempting to manage her own dysfunctional family.
IN PLAIN SIGHT closed its fourth season with a season high audience, up +6% from last year’s finale. IN PLAIN SIGHT has shown double digit growth over season three among P25-54 (2.2 million, up +13%), P18-49 (1.9 million, +17%) and P18-34 (659,000, +20%) as well as seeing gains in total viewers (4.9 million, +8%) and households (3.7 million, +9%) [with Live+7 data].
Universal Cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA’s “Royal Pains,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Psych,” “In Plain Sight,” “Covert Affairs,” “Fairly Legal” and “Suits,” along with Syfy’s “Eureka,” “Warehouse 13” and “Alphas.” The studio is also producing “Against the Wall” for Lifetime and “I Just Want My Pants Back” for MTV. UCP is a division NBCUniversal.
USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
What do you think? Are you sorry that In Plain Sight is ending? Do you wish that there was going to be a sixth season? Is eight episodes enough to end the TV show properly?
Image courtesy USA Network.
I agree with what so many others have stated. Excellent writing and character development in “In Plain Sight”. I hope our collective voice will be heard and they’ll bring back the show.
Why? High ratings & a solid fan base. I simply doesn’t make any sense.
So, incredibly disappointed by this INSANE cancellation! Like so many who commented, this show will be terribly missed! This is one of the few programs that I’ve watched religiously. I’ll definitely be limiting my viewing on this station!
This is my all time favorite show. Mary and all the characters are smart, funny , authentic, and brilliantly acted. Plus the show has an incredibly intelligent and touching story line. This is a very ill conceived decision! Bring In Plain Sight back.
Once again USA proves they are inept at understanding art, drama and the TV business. This is one of the best shows on all of TV. Character development is genuine, eloquent and engaging. Second only to NCIS as a superb TV drama.
USA is successfully driving viewers away once again!
I am mad its canceled I am about to give up one the network they put out great shows then cancel them monk , saving grace , 4400. and more.In fairness monk had a good run , but every time I like a show its only on for a few weeks a year , by the time it comes back you have to think how did it end last season . And know you had to wait till next spring . I dont watch much on the major 3 networks . but now I have no plans to watch usa… Read more »
I am sad to see this awesome show end. I looked forward to each spring when InPlain Sight would return! I love Mary! This show is one of the best out right now and really wish the network would reconsider. We’ll miss you Mary and Marshall.
Big mistake! In Plain Sight is one of the best things on TV. Well written, funny and believable. Everyone I know loves Mary!
I was surprised to find the show was cancelled – the writing and acting is so smart, on the same caliber as “MASH” -that doesn’t happen often – will anybody reconsider?
Big mistake to not renew another season. Good wit and writing . Sad not to have them next season. Will switch to another channel
I personally think there making a huge mistake,this is probably the best show I’ve seen on tv for years and the half wits in charge need a lobotomy for killing of such a grate show. I suppose they’ll replace it with more of this cheap reality crap that costs them almost nothing to make.
BRING BACK IN PLAIN SIGHT OR I’LL BOYCOT ALL YOUR SHOWS AND SO WILL A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE
I can’t believe they canceled the show. Big disappointment that it won’t be back for another season. Bring it back!!
It is a quailty program with a excellent cast that had a chemistry rarely seen on television.
There are very few tv shows I watch, However this was one of them because of it’s outstanding storyline and cast.
The blened of comic relief and drama was perfectly executed.
I like the many comments made by most on this site am sad that USA has canceled this great show.
I agree with everyone else with what they said. I can’t believe it’s ending. I have seen every episode and I can’t believe it’s over. It’s not everyday that something original comes out, but this was.If it’s ever possible to do more shows, I will be here to watch them. I guess I will have to watch reruns.
I want more episodes because the ending was a big desapointment