Deadline is reporting that the upcoming fourth season of Reign will be its last. The CW has informed the producers of the decision as the season four finale goes into production, but this news didn’t come out of the blue, meaning that season four of the costume drama had been written as a possible final installment. Therefore, the fourth season finale will be a definitive series finale that provides closure for the show, which has served as a valuable scheduling piece for The CW since its debut.
The conclusion of Reign marks the second of the season for The CW, as The Vampire Diaries will be wrapping its run this coming March. Typically a network that’s conservative with its cancellations, given the lucrative Netflix deal that incentivizes shows reaching a certain seasonal/episodic plateau, The CW has set itself up for a reboot of sorts next season, as the fall newbies (No Tomorrow, Frequency) underwhelmed and there are multiple vulnerable veterans (The 100, The Originals). Additionally, Reign‘s conclusion and said No Tomorrow underperformance might signal an unofficial renewal for critical darling Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, as The CW’s corporate structure/understanding wouldn’t allow for only one renewal (Jane the Virgin) on the CBS side.
Created by Laurie McCarthy (Ghost Whisperer) and Stephanie SenGupta (Criminal Minds), Reign tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane) as she seizes the power granted to her by birthright. The series kicked off with Mary heading to France to live in court with Prince Francis (Toby Regbo), the man she was arranged to marry, while the most recent season found the Queen, still recovering from the loss of Francis, deciding to take the throne in her native Scotland following the death of her mother and an increasing rivalry with Queen Elizabeth of England.
In addition to Kane, Reign stars Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), Rachel Skarsten (Lost Girl), Craig Parker (Spartacus), Charlie Carrick (Cedar Cove), and Ben Geurens (Neighbours).
Season four of Reign is set to premiere Friday, February 10th at 9:00 on The CW, with the series finale likely airing this coming June.
Will you miss Reign? Do you think The CW is doing the right thing by ending the show at four seasons? Aside from The Vampire Diaries and Reign, what other shows will The CW cancel this season?
