FX has renewed The Strain for a fourth and final season to premiere in summer 2017.
Exec producer Carlton Cuse said of the decision to end the show short of its initial five-season plan:
“It is a true joy to work at FX where creative intentions always comes first. Our original plan was for the series to last three years. Once we began telling that story it expanded to be more. After finishing the writing on season three, Guillermo, Chuck and I looked at our remaining story and felt the best version could be told in one more season. We have a fantastic plan for an exciting and climatic season four. We are deeply grateful to FX for supporting our vision and for allowing us to end the show on our own timetable.”
FX president of original programming Nick Grad added:
“We sincerely thank Carlton Cuse, Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan and their creative team as well as the fantastic cast for three exciting seasons of The Strain. Though we’re sad to see it go, we fully support the way in which they are crafting the fourth season’s dramatic conclusion.”
Full press release follows:
“The Strain” Renewed for Fourth and Final Season
Guillermo del Toro, Carlton Cuse and Chuck Hogan Will Deliver the Thrilling Final Chapter in Summer 2017
LOS ANGELES, September 27, 2016 – The Strain will return for a fourth and final season in Summer 2017, as Carlton Cuse, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan bring the thriller to its climatic conclusion, it was announced today by Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, Presidents of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions.
“We sincerely thank Carlton Cuse, Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan and their creative team as well as the fantastic cast for three exciting seasons of The Strain,” said Grad. “Though we’re sad to see it go, we fully support the way in which they are crafting the fourth season’s dramatic conclusion.”
“It is a true joy to work at FX where creative intentions always comes first,” said Cuse. “Our original plan was for the series to last three years. Once we began telling that story it expanded to be more. After finishing the writing on season three, Guillermo, Chuck and I looked at our remaining story and felt the best version could be told in one more season. We have a fantastic plan for an exciting and climatic season four. We are deeply grateful to FX for supporting our vision and for allowing us to end the show on our own timetable.”
Currently airing its third season on FX, The Strain has the very survival of humanity at stake. New York City is a battleground. Written off by the federal government, the people of New York are on their own in the ultimate showdown between humans and strigoi. Our heroes win victories, but are not winning the war. Beset by personal conflicts – betrayal, disappointment, paranoia – our group is splintering… Meanwhile, the Master is close to executing an irreversible transformation of the world. Is there still hope to save the city and humanity? The series stars Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis and Joaquín Cosío.
In “The Battle of Central Park,” which airs this Sunday, October 2 at 10 PM ET/PT, Fet strikes hard at the heart of the strigoi army while Justine embarks upon a risky mission to drive the strigoi out of Manhattan once and for all. Gus and Angel fight for their lives and their freedom but are faced with a moral dilemma. The episode was written by Bradley Thompson & David Weddle and directed by Deran Sarafian.
The Strain, based off of the best-selling The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, hails from Showrunner/Executive Producer/Director/Writer Carlton Cuse along with Co-Creators/Executive Producers/Writers del Toro and Hogan. Gary Ungar, J. Miles Dale, Bradley Thompson and David Weddle also serve as Executive Producers. The Strain is produced by FX Productions.
Are you happy The Strain gets to end on its ‘own terms’ or would you have wanted a fourth season?
HA! says
It’s been good… but they are starting to get kind of repetitive in season 3…. I mean…. come on.. you think it’s moving forward and nope… just changing who the “master” is again… So probably best to actually have a planned conclusion where the writers don’t have to be concerned with possibly padding the storyline out to 10-13 more episodes.
Rick says
That’s a bit disappointing – I remember that the original plan was for 5 seasons, which seemed about right to me.
Sharina says
I am bummed! This was the show I craved to watch each summer. I was constantly on the lookout for the current season’s start date. I prayed for June 2016 but I am grateful to finally watch this season.
I will greatly miss this show. Guillermo Del Toro is one of my absolute favorite Directors and Storytellers of all time. When I first found out about this show, I couldn’t wait to watch. Look up and watch all the movies this talented man has directed. You will not be sorry.
Thanks to all the people who had a hand in the creation and making of The Strain.