When original Pretender adventures disappeared from the airwaves in 2001, fans were still left with a lot of questions. Fortunately, the show’s creators haven’t forgotten about them and are working on a way to bring the series back, albeit in a different form.
The Pretender debuted on September 19, 1996 and aired for four seasons on NBC. In the series, Michael T. Weiss plays the lead character, a beyond-genius “Pretender” named Jarod. As a young boy, Jarod was abducted from his parents and trained by The Centre to be able to flawlessly integrate himself into any profession or lifestyle. As an adult, Jarod discovers that the organization is using him for no good and he escapes. Jarod travels the country trying to help those in need while managing to stay a step ahead of his captors. When the series ended on May 13, 2000 after four seasons, it looked like Jarod, Miss Parker (Andrea Parker), and Ethan (guest Tyler Christopher) didn’t survive a huge train explosion.
Fortunately, the cliffhanger was later resolved. The Pretender was picked up for syndication and ran successfully on cable station TNT. That success paved the way for two television movies that aired in January and December 2001. When the second movie ended, there were still many questions left unanswered. Fans petitioned for more TV movies but they didn’t happen.
Pretender creators Steven Long Mitchell and Craig Van Sickle have long said that the show was a labor of love and that they’re interested in continuing the Pretender story. A few months ago, the creators suggested that the show might be continued online.
In a recent interview with Sci Fi Wire, Mitchell and Van Sickle shared a few more details. “We created the show The Pretender, and we’re working on bringing that back in a whole new form, in a digital form and in a digital platform,” Mitchell shared. This would allow viewers to be able to tap into more information and be able to follow the progress of the new stories.
A new format doesn’t mean however that they’re forsaking the series’ star or the existing Pretender storylines. Van Sickle notes, “We had breakfast with Michael… he just finished up a play out here in New York. I guess kind of the best thing we can say is that we have a timetable of within, hopefully, the next five or six months that we can have something really unique and different out there.” Stay tuned! 
My husband and I have just finished the entire series (Christmas 2008) and I was excited to see this post about continuing the series or at least finishing it. But it seems that things have not happened and I really think there is alot of support for the show. I guess all I can do is check back here and see if anything happens…….BRING BACK THE PRETENDER…..PLEASE.
I am so frustrated that there is nothing more. Like Jared I want some freakin closure. Is there anything new out there or is this a done deal…..we have seen every episode including the made for tv movies and want more or at least a script or storyline to give closure.
What is happening? It’s been more than 7 months. 2008 was supposed to be the year we got something more. The fans are still waiting. Steven and Craig need to tell us what we need to do to show the PTB there is still support for The Pretender and we the fans still want to see more. The Pretender is still among the best there is to offer in television and deserves to be brought back.
The Prentender was probably one of the best shows that i have ever seen in my life. It kept you asking you all week, what is going to happen next. The cast of the show was second to none. They need to bring the show back, cause there are still alot of unanswered question.
Yes!! Do it!! We need answers. This was the BEST tv show on. I hope you can also release the new stuff on DVD as well. Long Live the Pretender!!!!!!
I love Pretender better than any other films. I hope there will be a third movie! It has to be! There’s too much unanswered questoins! There are hundred thousends people who would watch it if they make the thirdmovie. But unfortunatelly just a few Pretender fan still “alive” and make campaigns and try to make something. I heart a lot of stories about someone watched the pretender but it had been over since 2002 and they ouldn’t do anything. The people who stayed near the fire is only the 0.01% of the Pretender fans. the others also wants toknow what… Read more »
I’m looking forward to reviving “The Pretender” series preferably ABC, NBC or CBS, even USA or TNT. I LOVE this series, and was very sad when it was cancelled.
HI Guys,
I came across this website http://www.campaign.pretendercentre.com. Please google it if I wrote it wrong, apologiess.
There are global fans out there camapigning to get a 3rd movie commissioned. I believe we should add the pressure to the campaign.
Good luck everyone
Michael Thomas Weiss is my favorite actor, I admire his talent very much and his humility in real life, that fine quality is rare now days amongst the stars. I am hoping to be able to see him perform live in Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre In New York in 2009 a play called Impressionism. Someday I hope to meet him as I follow up on his progressive career and I hope he will continue to entertain us for a long time. I can sense his passion to entertain us is very strong, it is not only all about money. I think… Read more »
This weekend on Sky 148 (UK satellite channel) it has been amazing showing most episodes the whole weekend.
Is there anyone we can write to who expedite the commissioning of a new series ? Its now 2009 and and feels like we are still in limbo !
I hope Michael T Weiss does more films or TV shows this year, he is the best actor, his acting range is so broad, comic, pathos, hard, villainous, the lover, compassionate, sexy to name but a few roles.
You can get ALL of the DVDs via Netflix. I’m currently working my way through Season 1 and keep rediscovering things my 15 year old self never realized 🙂 Poor me then, lucky me now.
I am a big fan of the pretender it is very addictive to watch Jarod’s character and how he makes the transitions. Michael T. Weiss is brilliant, he is extraordinary talented and he made the the character alive! unforgettable. I watched all of the pretender shows and I cant get them off my mind. I hope to meet Michael someday, It would be an honor to meet who is behind the talent. I wish that he would make it in the big screen as the main character and do well in the box office, he has a lot of potential.… Read more »
I really want to know how this show ends I think the movie and tv programing or whoever decides what stays or goes needs their heads examined. they couldn’t tell a good movie or show from a hole in the ground this was good and shoud of been continued this was one of the best shows I have ever seen leaving us hang like this should be a crime
Oh I hope they finish the story, why is Jarod so important, what do the scrolls mean? Will Miss Parker and Jarod have a future? Does Jarod ever really find his family and keep them? Answers are needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I loved the show so much that I named my youngest son Jarod Michael. Both names for “Jarod”.