Magnum P.I.' is facing its second cancellation, despite being given a lifeline by NBC.
The network had previously picked up the reboot of the series, which features Jay Hernandez in the lead role, after it was originally canceled by CBS in 2022.
However, the revival's joy has been short-lived. A source close to Deadline confirmed last Friday that NBC has opted not to renew the series for further seasons. The fifth season, currently airing, has been divided into two parts, with the first ten episodes already released and the fate of the remaining ten uncertain due to a writers' strike.
NBC had stepped in to save 'Magnum P.I.' in May 2022 when CBS pulled the plug. The series features a cast that includes Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim King, and Amy Hill, whose contracts were set to expire by June 30. The unresolved fate of the remaining episodes complicates matters further.
NBC now faces several options: they could renew the series for a sixth season, negotiate contract extensions with the cast, or release the actors and conclude the show. The last option seems more likely due to the ongoing writers' strike. 'Magnum P.I.' is a co-production between Universal TV and CBS Studios, with the former handling international distribution and the latter managing national sales.
'Magnum P.I.,' an 80s Classic
The series follows Thomas Magnum, portrayed by Jay Hernandez, a former Navy Seal turned private investigator in Hawaii. In this reboot, Magnum's military assignment was in Afghanistan, distinguishing it from Tom Selleck's character in the original series, who served in Vietnam. Selleck's version of 'Magnum P.I.' enjoyed worldwide success, running for eight seasons. It catapulted its lead character to stardom, known for his iconic flowered shirts, shorts, and distinctive mustache.
