Since an official decision has yet to be made about the future of TNT's "Leverage," creator Dean Devlin chose to write the show's fifth season finale as a potential series finale, the executive producer revealed in an open letter to the show's fans on Thursday.
Posting the note via fansite LeverageFans.com, Devlin admitted that he and co-creator John Rogers "decided to end this season with the episode we had planned to make to end the series," just in case TNT declined to renew "Leverage" for a sixth year. Although the show has not been officially cancelled -- and the possibility of renewal still exists -- there has been speculation that Season 5 would be the series' last, so the writers' preemptive strike may prove to be the best possible outcome for fans.
Read Devlin's open letter in its entirety below:
Dear LEVERAGE Fans,
As of the writing of this letter, we still do not know if there will be a season six of our show. Just as we didn’t know when we created the last three episodes which are about to air. Because of this uncertainty, John Rogers and I decided to end this season with the episode we had planned to make to end the series, way back when we shot the pilot. So, the episode that will air on Christmas is, in fact, the series finale we had always envisioned.
This is not to say we would not do a season six should we get the opportunity. Everyone involved with the show, from the cast, the crew, the writers and producers, would like nothing more than to continue telling these stories. But, in case we do not get that opportunity we felt that, creatively, after 77 episodes, we owed it to you, our fans, to end the show properly.
I sincerely hope you watch these last three episodes. They build to our conclusion. And the finale, I believe, is the most powerful episode we’ve ever done.
From all of us who make the show, thank you for watching, supporting and encouraging us. I’ve never experienced a fandom as intense, loyal and wonderful as you all.
Let’s go steal a series finale!
Dean Devlin
Executive Producer/Director LEVERAGE
Would you be disappointed if "Leverage" ended after Season 5, or do you think the show has run its course? Weigh in below!
"Leverage" airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST on TNT. The season (or potential series) finale is set to air December 25.
