Saving Hope showrunner Adam Pettle discusses the decision to end the series
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It will be the end of an era for another Canadian television show on Tuesday as Saving Hope wraps production on its final season. After 85 episodes the doctors at Hope Zion will say goodbye with Season 5, slated to premiere on CTV in Winter 2017. The medical drama, which stars Erica Durance and Michael Shanks, averaged 1.3 million viewers in Season 4.
If you’ve followed us here at The TV Junkies then you know we’re pretty big fans of Saving Hope so just like many viewers, we were curious about why the show was ending. Thankfully showrunner Adam Pettle was nice enough to take time out from wrapping up production and saying goodbye to answer a few questions about why now was the right time to end the series. If you’ll recall, Season 4 ended with a vengeful Tom Crenshaw (Rookie Blue‘s Travis Milne) pointing a gun and firing a shot at Alex (Durance) and Charlie (Michael Shanks). Pettle won’t give away the answer to that cliffhanger, but he did also give us a glimpse at what we can expect during the show’s final season.
The TV Junkies: Ratings weren’t really a problem for Saving Hope so despite that, why is now a good time to end things?
Adam Pettle: We wanted to end the series on a creative high note, and we felt that the story had run its course. We had a definite endgame in mind, and we felt the fans deserved to see the story close with a period, rather than an ellipsis. The ratings remained high throughout our entire run on CTV thanks to the incredible work and hustle of executive producer Ilana Frank and Co. And the support of our incredible audience. We believe that Season 5 and the series finale will not disappoint our loyal ‘Hopefuls.’ If we’re wrong, well at least we won’t be around to field the letters…!
TTVJ: Do you think in five seasons that you’ve been able to fully explore the stories you wanted to tell or the stories [co-creator] Morwyn Brebner and Co. wanted to tell from the onset?
AP: I think that our 85 episode run has given us enough track to tell the story we set out to tell. Morwyn Brebner always said that Saving Hope couldn’t be too romantic. The Alex and Charlie love story has definitely formed the spine of all five seasons of the show. Personally, I have fallen head over heels for these characters over the past five years–thanks to the best acting company and writing room in the country–and yes I’m biased. We’ve put them through the ringer, and watched them wrestle with life and death situations with humor, grace, and heroism. I will miss them dearly. But, and I’m going to go all Knute Rockne here for a second–I don’t feel like we left anything on the field.

TTVJ: What was the cast’s reaction when you told them this would be the final season?
AP: The cast–especially Erica and Michael–played a part in the decision to end after five seasons. We had many creative talks about where the story should and could go and how much fuel we had left in the tank, and came to the creative decision that it was time for a conclusion. That being said, it wasn’t an easy decision nor is it an unemotional one. We wrap production today and there have been more than a few tears shed not only after “action” has been called. But after “cut” too…this is an extraordinary cast and crew. After five years of working so closely together we have become as codependent and dysfunctional as any family. The thought of not coming to work and seeing each other every day is hard. Endings are hard.
TTVJ: What can you can you share about the upcoming season?
AP: Season 5 picks up right where we left off in the (hopefully) dramatic cliffhanger of the Season 4 finale and launches with gusto into 18 brand new episodes that we hope audiences will agree are among our strongest yet. What happens? A whole lot of life saving, some joke telling, and also there will be some kissing. Season 5 is very much driven by our heroine Dr. Alex Reid, and takes her on a professional and personal journey, unparalleled in scope in the show so far. Full of peril, heartbreak, and of course… hope.
Are you sad to see Saving Hope go? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments below!
Saving Hope Season 5 will premiere in Winter 2017 on CTV. Seasons 1-4 of Saving Hope streaming now on CraveTV™. Season 4 episodes are also currently airing Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.
Wish Saving Hope was going to continue on. So many good shows are leaving the airways. Will be greatly missed
Canadian TV shows get government funding for the first 5 years making them cheaper to produce. Many Canadian shows only go 5 seasons for this reason.
Sad to hear that Saving Hope is ending. It is a really good show. Hopefully, herer in the US, ION-tv will pick up the rest of the show, so we can finish watching.
Love this show. Here in the US, we get it on ION-TV. We are in season 3 of the show. Hopefully, we can get the rest of this show.
I I think we just finished season 4 on ION.
On xfinity on demand I have watched all 4 seasons. I am anxious to see season 5.
I am eternally grateful to Saving Hope for introducing me to a troupe of immensely talented actors. The writers allowed each character to develop fully and then wove their stories into engaging interactions. I’m particularly grateful for the strong female cast members, so that in the words of Wendy Crewson, “girls can see what they can be.” All of you will be missed, but I look forward to following your careers. Thanks so much to all of you for a great five years of A+ entertainment.
I am also sad to see Saving Hope end after five seasons. I never saw the first season that was aired by NBC here in the states, so until I ran across it on Amazon I didn’t know it even existed. I’m a huge Michael Shanks fan, so he drew me in. But this wonderfully written show kept me watching. I wish all the best to all the cast and crew. Thanks for giving me a great show that I really wanted to watch.
I’m so sad to see that Saving Hope will be ending after season 5. There are so few shows that have the depth it has. After watching one episode I have been completely hooked and never missed another one. Each character is unique to every story line and even the music plays a huge part. I will miss Alex and Charlie as well as the entire cast. All of us can always do with a little “Hope”.
I knew it,it was an nbc show,used to be one of the best station but too many reality Anyway I just found out that saving hope is ending.I knew it after Joel died,I noticed the 1- 4was great and this rookie blue season is not great.I’m always right.nbc has a way of effing up the best stuff.They waiste money,no better then not using the whole animal.season 5 has massive amounts of no good acting action as when it starts.I’m paying my cable mill befor Christmas.
I am in love with this show. I work in the medical field am this has been more real than any other show I have ever seen. I love the characters the, the stories and most of all the way you have portrayed the medical procedures.
Thank you for very nice michael shanks and Erica durance my heart ❤️ michael shanks la JE t’écris an français quand j’ai su que la série s’est arête jeté très triste 😭 c’est t’une season formidable michael shanks JE remercie également toute ton équipe Michael JE te remercie du fond du cœur ❤️ alex et Charlie thank you vey much cordialaminy yes 2/11/2016 😘😭😭👍🏼
Am in the uk and have lived the show from the start . I have enjoyed seeing and joining in each week as the characters developed. The story lines have been an emotional roller coaster frim the little boy who hadnt realised he had died and lived on in others to the dramatic loss of Joel. I know all series come to their end eventually and at least this hasnt done it a way where you struggle to watch as storys become old and lifeless and instead finished on a high. All the best to everyone ad look firward to seeing you in your future endevours
This Aussie can only watch once the DVDs are released but I look forward to binge watching the whole season once it’s in my hands. I will miss the show but am looking forward to seeing the actors in their next projects.
L’ll thank you 😊 very much you michael shanks t u wanderfoul actor.l really like is you do for us also thank,all team have you saving hope season 5 yes michael shanks. L t ,ambrasse Ford very much and michael shanks my heart ❤️ very very nice 👍🏼 kisses 😘 michael shanks see you soon kisses 😘 isabelle elle te remercie du fond du cœur ❤️ yes 4/11/2016 👍🏼😍❤️👏🏼🇨🇦😘❤️❤️❤️❤️
I absolutely love Saving Hope. I have favorites that portray each of the cast so brilliantly, especially Charlie and Alex. Everyone is so talented.
I have watched on ION TV and have all seasons so far an I CANNOT WAIT for season 5. Hope it is availabe on DVD and ION soon as possible
Me n my babygirl need this show…this show has taught my babygirl the meaning of helping..she has had learned sooo much from Alex n the crew she says she wants to meet everyone one day n vist this place.she now understand doctors try so hard to help ppl..we recently took her father to a er she says daddy as he left for x-rays look for Alex or charlie cuz thy will heal u…this is a show I would enjoying watching over n over n over I’m not a TV person I get caught up in cartoons n music but all it took was that first show n bam I was hooked n so was my babygirl…God plz don’t take any a alsome show that can learn soooo many kids to not be already when things happens…
Grey’s anatomy is the longest running medical drama, I don’t care for that show, I only like Saving hope. SG1 with Shanks was a long running favourite show of mine and of course everything must come to an end. Heartland is on its 10th season, so why can’t SH? Going to miss you people. 😢
Saving Hope is the best drama and so well acted. Loved Michael Shanks since watching him in another fab series, SG1 and think he surpassed himself in Saving Hope. Infact the whole cast was amazing. Can’t believe we have so long to wait for the new series but even worse is that it is the final series. Such a shame, I will really miss it.
I just sat here and cried through the last 2 episodes of season 4 only to cry again once learning season 5 will be the last for the show. 😭😭😭 I’m a Healthcare professional and it is heartwarming and very rewarding to see a show like SH. Superb cast!!!! I’m not a fan of the other medical dramas but SH is different…family oriented, diverse topics, inclusive of many races, ethnicities, cultures and religions, and showed Healthcare professionals with great bedside manner actually caring for patients and learning to live and love along the way. Oh how I’m going to miss SH!!! 😣😣😢 Sad, sad night in the US!!! ~A faithful ION watcher
This is one of my family’s favorite shows to watch. Great cast and storyline! We are going to miss it! It would be wonderful if could continue.
Every time i get hooked shows canceled.! Why do the cancel great shows and popular shows. Then continue to run other shows to death.. Im tired of all the good ones getting dumped. Theyd rather over do stupid reality shows and competition type shows on every channel. When u finally like one they take it away
I just found it. Look forward to it more than my other shows on prime time. So sad to see it is leaving. Totally bummed.
I love this show and I’m addicted. I am anxious to see how the next season starts off. Especially the way we were left hanging.
Saving Hope is my favorite TV show of all time! Can’t bear to think it is ending.
Praise God I can get the DVD’s on Amazon. Thank you everyone who worked so hard to make this series possible. Much Love to you all!