Westworld's James Marsden hopeful show could still get "proper ending"
The sci-fi series was cancelled in 2022 after four seasons.
The news that HBO had cancelled Westworld after four seasons came as a bitter blow to fans when it was announced last year – but star James Marsden has revealed he's still hopeful the show will get a proper ending.
The actor – who played Teddy Flood in the sci-fi show – made the remarks in an interview with Rolling Stone, in which he explained how he was left disappointed that the series didn't get to reach its planned conclusion, with creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy having been vocal about their wishes for a fifth run.
"I’d be lying to you if I told you that the way we ended Westworld wasn’t a disappointment,” he said. "I’m never going to speak without gratitude about any of my experiences, but it would have been nice to be able to complete the story we wanted to finish."
He added: "I totally understand it’s an expensive show and big shows have to have big audiences to merit the expense, I just wish it was about more than financial success.”
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
But Marsden said he hadn't entirely given up hope regarding the possibility of a fifth season – even if he acknowledged that might be "just wishful thinking" on his part.
"Who knows, maybe there’s some world where it can get completed somehow," he said. "Maybe that’s just wishful thinking because I know we had plans to finish it the way we wanted to.”
Throughout its four-season run, Westworld was nominated for 54 Primetime Emmy Awards and so its cancellation – and subsequent removal from HBO Max – came as a surprise to many fans.
Following the news, a statement from Nolan and Joy's production company Kilter Films read: "Making Westworld has been one of the highlights of our careers. We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary cast and crew for creating these indelible characters and brilliant worlds.
"We’ve been privileged to tell these stories about the future of consciousness – both human and beyond – in the brief window of time before our AI overlords forbid us from doing so."
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Authors
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
