Is the end in sight for Brennan and Booth? Bones‘ future appears to be murky, with Fox execs still uncertain of whether the current season will be the last for the crime procedural, the network’s executives said on Friday, January 15.
At the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in Pasadena, California, Fox heads Gary Newman and Dana Walden spoke to reporters about Bones‘ fate, with Walden admitting that a decision on whether to renew the series for a 12th season would likely be made soon.
“Really not sure about Bones,” Walden said. “It’s sort of the top of next week’s business to start talking to the producers about whether this is going to be the end of its run or whether there is potentially another season in the show.”
Walden pointed out that, regardless of when it ends, the network would want the long-running drama’s producers to have enough time to craft a proper sendoff.
“If it’s going to be the end of this season, though, we’re going to give them plenty of time to start writing a meaningful ending to the show,” she continued. “We’ve got such a loyal viewership, and those viewers deserve a very satisfying ending, so we’re trying to be very sensitive about that.”
She also alluded to the show’s ongoing litigation, as stars Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz — who play Brennan and Booth — have teamed with two producers to sue the network over money that they believe they are owed. Walden said the matter is “not resolved yet,” but that it would not impact the decision on whether to extend the series’ life.
The network heads were similarly coy about the future of Sleepy Hollow, which — like Bones — did not receive a renewal at the TCA presentation. New season pickups were announced at the event for Empire and Scream Queens.
“We’re liking what we’re seeing and we’re going to be making the decision over the next few months,” Walden said about Sleepy Hollow, which is airing its third season after launching in September 2013.
Bones, which debuted in September 2005, centers on FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (Boreanaz) and forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Deschanel). It airs on Fox Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST.
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