Renewed or Cancelled?
Jack Ryan’s stellar run from 2018 has been an unprecedented success for Prime Video. The streamer has struggled of late to bypass other streamers due to such big-budget disappointments as Rings of Power and Citadel. Most of its new ventures have been more misses than hits. But it is the stability of its offerings like Jack Ryan that have improved Prime’s service.
Granted, the adaptation is not a cutting-edge spy feature with fancy storytelling and cryptic writing. But Jack Ryan is built on Tom Clancy’s solid literary foundation and a charismatic portrayal by John Krasinski. Over four seasons, Jack Ryan kept things simple – perhaps too simple at times – and has not been as convoluted as other entries in the genre. The fourth season finally aired its climactic episodes yesterday. But has Jack Ryan been renewed for Season 5?
If you’ve finished watching this one, you may be wondering if this has been renewed or cancelled. Here’s what we know so far.
What is Jack Ryan Season 4 about?
Season 4 of Jack Ryan begins with Ryan and Elizabeth taking up two positions at the top of the pyramid of the CIA. Confirmation hearings by the Senate Intelligence Committee begin for the two as a new threat looms large. Nigerian President Udo is assassinated in his house in Lagos, sparking global unrest. What is even more disturbing for the new heads of the CIA is that the gear and hallmarks used for the assassination resemble a black-ops team.
At the same time, evil forces in the crime underbelly of Mexico and Myanmar “converge” in a deadly combination. The Marquez Cartel and The Triad join hands to create one of the most powerful networks of arms, drugs, and other vices in the world. But the mesh runs far deeper than that.
Ryan, Elizabeth, and James Greer discover that former Director Miller was using agency resources to fuel their operations. The interconnectedness of the events forces Ryan to call in help in the form of Mike November and find a new ally in former CIA operative Domingo Chavez.
We have extensive coverage of Jack Ryan Season 4 across the site, including recaps for every episode and a full season review. You can find those HERE!
Has Jack Ryan been renewed for Season 5?
We have some bad news for our readers. Jack Ryan will not be returning for a fifth season. This is not a new development. It was decided while renewing the show for the fourth season that it would be the final one in the franchise. The decision comes on the back of the creators opting out of continuing the story, seeing good reason to end things on a high.
Generally, Prime Video, like other cable networks and streamers, gauges numerous metrics before renewing a show, including how many people initially watch it and then looking at the drop-off rate. With some shows, cancellations or renewals happen quickly (ala. Squid Game, Bridgerton etc.) Other times, it can take months before streamers like Prime Video make a decision over a show’s future.
The decision to end Jack Ryan with season 4 was a pre-determined one. John Krasinksi, who was the biggest marketing spin and attraction for the show had only signed on to play the part for four seasons. The former Jim Halpert from The Office did not offer a comment to this effect but the creators had indicated it in a recent interview.
What do we know about Season 5 so far:
Having said all of that, we will leave our readers with some very positive news. Michael Pena’s character from season 4, Domingo Chavez, is all set to have a spin-off series set in the same universe. Although there hasn’t been any conceptual clarity about the plot and setting, Chavez is no stranger to the Ryanverse.
He features prominently in the books and is an able operator. Apart from the strong rumours, we do not have much information about the specifics. With the ongoing WGA strike and the recently exerted SAG-AFTRA debacle, nothing is certain for the immediate future. We will be back with more updates as and when they become available.
Are you sad to hear that Jack Ryan won’t be returning? What did you think of the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
They will not come out with another hit like Jack Ryan. To prematurely make the decision to end before season 4 was done, I think, was a bad. I think if given the choice, John Karsinksi would have signed for more seasons. Watching him and his character mature and take hold during series was nothing short spectacular.
Seeing Micheal Pena’s being Domingo Chavez, was a surprising role from his stint with Bobby Lee Swager. It really showed his serious SPEC OPS role. I really think that role fits him. Looking forward to the spinoff
I definitely wish they would continue it. Thankfully they did end it without a cliffhanger.
A couple of weeks ago a girlfriend told me about the Jack Ryan series. I just finished binge watching it at 2am this morning and was so disappointed to find that I was watching the Series Finale! Please – we want more!
I loved Michael Peña in Shooter and as Chavez in this series. I can’t wait to see him in the Spin-off and in the lead role. I think having Elizabeth, Greer, Chavez, November, and that new geeky analyst in the Spin-off is a perfect idea. Please don’t change the plot and / or underlying settings – it’s already perfect!