As fans of long-running television shows should know very well, you have to roll with the punches. The longer shows are on the air, the more there tend to be changes that are beyond our control. Cast members come and go, the direction can shift at a moment's notice, and the person steering the ship can also be unexpectedly replaced. Sullivan's Crossing is basically three for three.
Earlier this year, before Sullivan's Crossing season 4 made its premiere on CTV and The CW, Scott Patterson's abrupt exit from the series after three seasons was announced. Sully ended season 3 with a trip overseas, but fans still expected him to return for season 4. Well, he didn't, and Patterson alluded to some behind-the-scenes tension. Now, that series lost its showrunner.
Sullivan's Crossing season 5 gets new showrunner
According to a report from Deadline, Sullivan's Crossing creator Roma Roth, who has been the showrunner since the very beginning, has officially stepped down from her post as the showrunner and head writer. After Patterson's exit last season, this is the show's second consecutive loss from the original team that has made the show beloved by fans.
Roth will be replaced by the new showrunner and head writer Floyd Kane, who has taken over the day-to-day operations of the series going into its fifth season. Kane doesn't have any writing credits on the show's past four seasons, but that shouldn't give fans pause that he's more than up for the task of continuing to bring us the love stories and drama we have come to know and love.
Sullivan's Crossing isn't losing Roth, though. The creator will remain on the series as an executive producer, but she is turning her focus to her new show Thunder Point, which was just picked up by CTV and is also based on a series of books by Sullivan's Crossing and Virgin River author Robyn Carr. But by and large, season 5 and any season after will be made under new leadership.
Scott Patterson isn't expected to return in season 5
Along with the big behind-the-scenes changes impacting season 5 (hopefully in positive ways), Sullivan's Crossing season 5 still hasn't earned a pick-up from its American home of The CW. Deadline notes that the official renewal from the network is in the midst of be finalized. Hopefully, fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief in the next few weeks.
The fifth season will begin production later this summer, with filming reportedly targeted to begin sometime in July. While that's exciting news and keeps the show on pace for a premiere in spring 2027, there's more unfortunate news to share. Deadline also suggests that Patterson isn't planned to make his return to the show as Sully in season 5. Well, that's a bummer.
Perhaps if the series continues beyond season 5 and finds new footing with Kane as showrunner, Patterson will consider reprising his role at some point. After all, the show continues to be a massive success on Netflix and long-time fans are itching for Sully's comeback. For now, we'll have to get excited for season 5 and the prospect for what's to come for Maggie and Cal.
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