Magnum PI: Season Six? NBC Series Showrunner on Possibilities of a Revival

(Photo: Zack Dougan/NBC)

Magnum PI ended a five-season run on NBC last night, and some viewers are hoping to see more of the reboot series featuring Thomas Magnum and his friends.

Starring Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Amy Hill, and Tim Kang, the series is a reboot of the 1980s series. It follows the private detective (Hernandez) as he solves crimes in Hawaii.

NBC saved the drama after its first cancellation by CBS, and viewers hope Magnum PI can be revived again. Never say never, but the series would need a lot of pieces to fall into place for it to continue, according to showrunner Eric Guggenheim.

Guggenheim recently spoke about the possibility in an interview with TV Guide:

“There haven’t been any discussions, but I don’t think that’s because of any belt-tightening. Our budget this season was by far the lowest it’s ever been. I just think it’s difficult because Magnum’s situation is unique. For one thing, the vast majority of the show’s past episodes haven’t been available on a subscription-based streamer that could step up and take over the show. Magnum isn’t like, for example, Manifest or Designated Survivor, both of which had already been airing past episodes on Netflix when they each got saved by that platform. It’s not like SEAL Team or Evil, which were already airing episodes on Paramount+ when they were saved. Magnum is also a co-production with split rights, which makes things more complicated. It’s not like Lucifer, which was fully owned by [Warner Bros.], which could then license the show to Netflix after its cancellation by Fox.

I think if there’s a really strong demand for it, if the cast is available and willing, if both studios are on board and if the numbers work for both, then sure, I could see there being a revival. Those are some big “ifs,” of course. But if you look around, there have been a ton of revivals in recent years, and that trend doesn’t appear to be dying out. But I think first, the library, all 96 episodes, would have to get licensed to a subscriber-based streamer or an off-net deal would have to be made. Ideally, both would happen. Freevee is great, but almost every broadcast drama is also available on a subscriber-driven platform. Magnum is one of the very rare exceptions. It was on Paramount+ for the first four seasons but was taken off after the first cancellation and has yet to find its way onto another service. I think that would have to change. And then, of course, it would have to perform well, and demand for a revival would have to follow. So a number of things would need to happen, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility.”

While thanking viewers for their support, Hernandez wrote about what he’d like to see via social media:

“I actually floated the idea of a standalone film. I suppose it’s still possible. If I’m being totally honest I didn’t love the show ending how it did. That being said, to all the #magnum #ohana thank you for always supporting us! Y’all have been AMAZING. We’re humbled by your dedication. I know I’ve been inactive on this platform for reasons you’re well aware of but I hope this space of positivity persists even if the show does not. Keep being kind and always curious. To health, happiness and gratitude in 2024.”

What do you think? Were you happy with the way Magnum PI ended its run? Do you want to see more of the characters on a new outlet?