14 DAY TRIAL // It’s been a tough run for medical drama “House M.D.” but it’s now over: Fox has confirmed that season 8 will happen. As the saying goes, same place same hour. The bad news is that this may also be the last season of the show.
As we also noted some time ago, negotiations with members of the cast had hit a dead-end for season 8, mostly because of scheduling and money differences.
Of the entire cast, only Hugh Laurie and Olivia Wilde were locked in their contracts for another year, which meant there was a good chance some leading characters may not return for season 8, assuming it would happen in the first place.
Fans can now breathe easy: Omar Epps and Robert Sean Leonard signed on the dotted line earlier this week, while Fox has announced that season 8 is a go, Michael Ausiello of TV Line informs.
“Over the past seven seasons, House has redefined the medical drama and has given us one of television’s most compelling and iconic characters,” Fox President Kevin Reilly says in a statement to the aforementioned publication.
“From the producers to the incredible writers to the unbelievably talented cast and crew, the House team is fearless in its creativity and I can’t wait to see what they have in store next year,” Reilly adds.
While two more actors are on board a new season, there still are some who are yet to agree to reprise their characters on the show: Lisa Edelstein and Jesse Spencer, who play Dr. Cuddy and Dr. Chase.
The possibility that the new season of “House” will be without them is pretty high right now, Ausiello believes. Also very likely is that the proverbial fat lady will sing after season 8.
“After lengthy talks, Fox has closed a deal with producer Universal to bring House back for an eighth and likely final season,” Ausiello says (emphasis ours).
Declining ratings and the desire to go out with a bang have probably convinced producers that the best idea would be to end “House” while it’s still riding the wave, it is being said.