Since it was announced back in May that Fox’s quirky dimension-jumping sci-fi drama Fringe would sing its swan song after season 5, fans of the hit show were dreading the day they had to say a final goodbye to the much-loved series. Now Fox has released the news that Fringe will meet its end on January 18, 2013.
Concluding with a special two-hour event, the Fringe finale marks the series’ 100th episode, as well as setting the series as the second-longest scripted sci-fi program the notoriously fickle Fox network has ever aired, after The X-Files (which ran for 9 seasons).
With nine episodes left to go, fans aren’t the only ones feeling the sting of Fringe’s upcoming finale – series co-creator and executive producer J.J. Abrams took time to express his feeling of gratitude to fans of the groundbreaking series and to the Fox network for their loyalty. Abrams had this to say:
“It has been an absolute honor to have been a part of the weird and wonderful world of ‘Fringe. I will always owe the cast and crew for pouring their hearts and souls into every dimension of this series. Creating the show with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman was a joy, but watching it evolve over the years into such an imaginative, insane and heartbreaking ride is nothing less than a thrill. I am grateful to our blessed fans, and to Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice and everyone at the glorious FOX network for allowing ‘Fringe’ to reach its bittersweet conclusion.”
The Season 5 cast of ‘Fringe’
Showrunner J.H. Wyman added to Abrams’ sentiment by thanking the cast, crew and studio exec that kept Fringe afloat, despite being placed in the dreaded “Friday night death slot.” He also gave warm words to all the faithful fans out there by saying:
“It simply cannot be overstated how grateful I am for the ongoing and unconditional support we have received over the past five seasons. It has been both mind-blowing and humbling. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction, and to be able to tell this story about a family — a family that, through everything, fought together for survival — has been a highlight of my career.”
Although the end is nigh for Fringe on the small screen, it doesn’t mean the saga of Olivia Dunham and crew won’t live on. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con 2012, actor John Noble – who plays mad, but lovable scientist Walter Bishop – mentioned that a Fringe film was “very possible down the line” with co-star Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) adding, “The show will live on in some form or another” – most likely as a comic book.
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Catch the remaining 9 episodes of Fringe Friday’s @ 9/8c on Fox – including the series finale on January 18, 2013.
