'Fringe' Renewed For Fifth And Final Season

Co-creator and executive producer J.J. Abrams promises fans a 'wild and thrilling' conclusion.
By Kara Warner

Jasika Nicole, Joshua Jackson and John Noble in "Fringe"
Photo: Liane Hentscher/FOX

Despite the many rumors of cancellation, genre favorite TV series "Fringe" has been renewed for a fifth and final season. The series' dedicated fans should rejoice at the news of the 13-episode order, which the network announced Thursday (April 26).

"We are thrilled and beyond grateful that Fox — and our fans — have made the impossible possible: 'Fringe' will continue into a fifth season that will allow the series to conclude in a wild and thrilling way," co-creator and executive producer J.J. Abrams said in a statement. "All of us at Bad Robot are forever indebted to our viewers and the amazingly supportive Fox network for allowing the adventures of Fringe Division to not only continue, but to resolve in a way that perfectly fits the show."

" 'Fringe' is a remarkably creative series that has set the bar as one of television's most imaginative dramas. Bringing it back for a final 13 allows us to provide the climactic conclusion that its passionate and loyal fans deserve," Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company, said of the renewal. "The amazing work the producers, writers and the incredibly talented cast and crew have delivered the last four seasons has literally been out of this world. Although the end is bittersweet, it's going to be a very exciting final chapter."

The news should be very welcome to the show's loyal fanbase, which was put on cancellation alert earlier this year when Reilly admitted to reporters that the show does not make the network any money.

Star Joshua Jackson told MTV News earlier this year that no matter how the show ends, he wants to please the fans who've stuck with the show and go out with a real ending, not a cliffhanger.

"The only thing that would piss me off about being canceled is if we brought people along for all these years — and they've been so dedicated and really stuck with the show — and we didn't finish it up," he said. "Whatever the future of the show is going to be ... the most important thing is that they have enough time to finish the story."

What do you hope happens in the final season of "Fringe"? Share your theories in the comments!

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