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! 
When I first read the title I was excited that they were still talking about continuing with something new for this show and then I saw the year of the article.
I would love for there to be at least one more movie to give some closure. I just rediscovered this show and along with several friends, I’m hooked again.
Now that Comcast owns NBC and that there is a new wind blowing, this may be the time to urge them to consider producing a season 5 of “The Pretender” . They have to know that it can be picked up cheap. It already has a fan base, it has new fans from the DVD sales, and it is past time that there should be a finish to the program. One season should do it, so there is no long term commitment needed. And best of all the show is in the same style as “Alias” and “Lost” , but… Read more »
I also loved the show. I am disappointed that they have left the viewers hanging. With all of the bad shows on TV, you would think that they would bring a show back that people loved. But then again, it is not really what we like is it!
Love the show, but would love to see a wrap up movie, etc. to answer all the unanswered questions. Michael T. great acting as Jarod. You all may have moved on, but still lots
of pp. out who’d gratefully love to see more of the SHOW! Nothing made like it since!
EI can’t wait to see more and have more questions answered. This show was one of the best I have ever seen and very addicting to watch.
I bought all four seasons and the movies! I am a huge fan of the show and would love to see more of Jared. If I could, I would give a blank check a say do what ever is needed!!!
Would it be possible to at least get another movie to give a sense of ending to the series rather than leaving so much unanswered?
Oh, c’mon! The end of the second movie (The Isle of the Haunted) didn’t look like the end of the story. So no matter what, you have to finish it. Otherwise, watching the series is nothing else, but a waste of time for the folks and a failure for you. Just like chessplay – mate is victory and stalemate is failure. You choose.
I don’t understand why the show never came back after XFL failed in the first place everyone loved it still do we’ve been waiting 8 years now and still begging with all the bad shows they have on you’d think it’d be easy to sell… Well at least they are still trying!!!
My husband and I just finished watching all four seasons and we want more. How do we watch the two TV movies? We used Netflix for the 4 seasons. This is so well written and we are so bored with what’s available now. PLEASE bring this back. Great writing and great synergy between the cast.
I would love to see this show brought back, I remember it was the action and shock value that attracted most to a show back then. The series got dropped when it seemed the shock value couldn’t get much better, but the movies show different though. The twists in the main story took you places you didn’t think they would go, still pinning for a 3rd movie.
I will not watch anything else made by Steven Long Mitchell and Craig Van Sickle until the last movie is made…just sets me up for another unanswered series.
I loved this show. I never missed the show when it was on tv. I own the series and the movies on dvd and are currently rewatching them with my parents. They love the show too and don’t want me to watch an episode without them. I would like to see it come back on syndication but if not, I agree it should be on dvd. Please Please bring it back.
oh pls revive the pretender. he is like James Bond only better. i watched all the seasons and the movies in 4 days. i couldn’t stop. if it will not go on and solve the left questions it will be such a shame for so beautiful a creation.!!
trully yours.
I would love for them to come back again. But I would love to see it on DVD instead of the internet. I own them all on DVD. I still watch all the season all over again. Please bring them to DVD instead of the internet. I will be one the first to buy. My mom love them too. we have been wating for long time for them moment.