The Americans: The Mindblowing Season 6 Finale That Left Fans Speechless

Summary

The Americans was not canceled unexpectedly, but rather ended on its own terms after six seasons, which was planned and confirmed in 2016.

Despite its low viewership, The Americans was saved from cancellation due to its critical acclaim, allowing it to wrap up its story in a satisfying manner. The season 6 finale, titled "START," received high praise and is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV finales ever, solidifying the show's timely end.

FX's The Americans received widespread critical acclaim throughout its entire run, leaving viewers perplexed as to why the show came to a conclusion after its sixth season finale. The series revolved around Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Phillip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), Soviet spies disguised as an American couple who raised two children in the 1980s. With a gripping narrative, The Americans garnered a staggering 86 award nominations and achieved victory in 26 of them, including four Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe, and two Peabody Awards.

However, despite its critical success, The Americans was not immune to challenges. Like many other television shows, it struggled to find its footing in a crowded television landscape. Regrettably, it became known as a brilliant show that failed to attract a substantial audience. This could lead one to assume that the series was unexpectedly canceled, potentially due to low viewership numbers, a fate often encountered by network shows. Nevertheless, the critical acclaim bestowed upon The Americans likely prevented its cancellation, intensifying the enigma surrounding its conclusion, especially when compared to lesser-praised shows that persist for much longer periods.

The Americans Planned To End With Season 6

The decision to end The Americans was not a cancellation, but a planned conclusion. Back in 2016, two years before the series finale, it was officially announced that the show would come to an end. Entertainment Weekly reported that FX had renewed the series for its final two seasons after season 4. This gave the showrunners, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, the rare opportunity to carefully craft the perfect story arc to wrap up all six seasons and deliver a satisfying ending to the audience.

Season 6 Was The Perfect End To The Americans

According to Eric Shrier, the president of original programming at FX in 2014, The Americans has consistently been regarded by critics as one of the finest television shows available. Astonishingly, the show managed to improve with each passing season. What is even more impressive is that the final two seasons garnered an equivalent amount of acclaim. The series finale of Season 6, titled "START," ironically was hailed as one of the greatest television finales ever, solidifying the fact that it was the perfect time for the show to come to an end.

The Americans concluded with a gripping and emotionally charged spectacle that lived up to the show's reputation for exceptional quality. The last episode provided a satisfying yet bittersweet conclusion for the main characters, Philip and Elizabeth, as they grappled with readjusting to a vastly different homeland and the heartbreak of leaving their children behind. Fields and Weisberg expertly utilized the advance notice they had to bring the series to a compelling finale, and it is a testament to the remarkable talent involved that The Americans had the opportunity to conclude on its own terms, free from the fear of cancellation or overstaying its welcome.