Much to the dismay of the show’s loyal followers, The Unit was cancelled by CBS in May. The series’ viewership had declined in its later years but, despite being preempted several times, still attracted 9.67 million viewers in season four.
The Unit was supposedly being seriously considered to continue in first-run syndication but the deal didn’t work out, likely because of production costs. Sadly, while the military drama and Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Robert Patrick, and Scott Foley will be around in syndication for years to come, we won’t be seeing season five of The Unit.
It turns out that the writers had a full plan for year five which Executive Producer Shawn Ryan was expecting to be the show’s last. He pitched the storyline ideas to the CBS execs but ultimately they weren’t interested.
At the recent TCA press tour, Ryan shared with The Futon Critic what would have happened. He said, “It was going to be a whole new show in the sense that we were going to be training some young people, Bob was going to be training some people for a whole new organization. Jonas was finally going to be seeing his run end.”
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Ryan continued, “The final season was going to be, I figured the fifth season was going to be the last… It was going to be a long, sort of final mission for Jonas. He’s not medically cleared, Mac has to go in and sort of change the medical records so that Jonas can keep on [going on missions]. We had a whole thing planned, it was going to be good.”
Of the cancellation, Ryan points to CBS’ last-minute decision to save NBC’s discarded Medium series. If things had been reversed and The Unit “had been owned by Paramount and Medium had been owned by 20th Century Fox, we’d be making the fifth season of The Unit right now. I don’t know how else to say that.”
What do you think? Do the plans for season five sound like a good way for the military drama to finish?
Image courtesy CBS.
Over the past 2 weeks I just watched the 4 seasons . Being in the military, from a military family and having served on tours lots of the personal issues raised were familiar and in a way comforting. Bring back season 5 to close out the story right. If season 5 is not to be, Another option, just pay the writers to finish the series, tie up the loose ends then make it available in print.
The unit has become very relevant for today. A further series should be filmed for the series finale.
I’m 23 and loved the unit so
devastated it’s not on anymore !!!!! Wish they would make another one!
to watch something so extrodinary as like this show brings back memories it gives and shows the whole world a taste of herorism I love this show please continue making more
I’m 36. The Unit is my fav tv show of all time. I would do anything to bring The Unit back at least for one last season 5.
This is sad. They want the public to get hooked and watch… Then they dont care and cancel. Very sad
I loved this WHOLE TV SERIES!! I was so upset to find out there was no more! There should definitely be season’s 5-10. I watched this from start to finish and loved it!! please bring it back!!!
This series is definitely worth continuing.
I think its best understood if watched right from the beginning of season one, as the character development slowly builds a more complex story line and engages the viewers more when they get to know the characters. The story line of the unit is well developed and slowly revealed throughout each season. I strongly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good action movie, starting from the very first episode. The last will then seem to finnish incomplete, definitely in need of a season 5!
I want seasong five! I love the unit, why is it so hard to do it, i cry when i thinking on the last episode in seasong 4. Why cant you not make 5 episode, just to see what is going to hapen.
Please!
still waiting for season Five!!!
My family an I watch the unit every year from season 1 to season 4 and we are still waitingwating for season 5.it can’tend because over a million people watch it and it is fricking awesome.Iam a girl and that is my fav series.so please don’tstop making it
i miss it sooo much wish season 5 does come back
I have enjoyed this series since it started and so disappointed that Season 5 has been cancelled.
Me too …
It is with deep regards that the unit has been cancelled. Please find a network that will be willing to keep the show running. I love the action and drama.
Thanks for all 4 seasons
Jairus Williams