The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

Will Bones be revived? Find out what the cast and creators have to say about the show's future after Season 12 in this intriguing article

Summary

A revival of the police procedural show Bones is possible, given its popularity and the trend of television revivals.

Executive producer Michael Peterson has expressed willingness for a Bones reunion prior to the conclusion of the series, however, no definitive plans have been made thus far.

Several cast members, such as Michaela Conlin and T.J. Thyne, have expressed their desire to reprise their roles, yet a potential revival would necessitate the alignment of scheduling and other crucial elements.

Bones was a highly popular police procedural TV show on Fox that attracted millions of viewers and aired for 12 seasons and 246 episodes. Despite its series finale on March 28, 2017, discussions about a potential revival began shortly after, involving even those who were involved in the series. In today's television landscape, reboots, revivals, and sequels are all the rage, so it wouldn't be surprising if Bones made a comeback, considering its previous popularity.

The main stars of Bones were David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth and Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan. Over the course of the show's 12 seasons, their unlikely partnership developed into a slow-burn relationship, which captivated viewers and had a satisfying payoff in the later episodes. If a revival were to happen, it would definitely need to include both of these characters. Other important cast members for a Bones reunion would be Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro, T.J. Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins, Eric Millegan as Dr. Zack Addy, and Tamara Taylor as Camille Saroyan.

Executive Producer Michael Peterson Isn't Ruling Out A Bones Reunion

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

Executive producer Michael Peterson had already begun planning for the future of the Fox procedural series, Bones, even before its series finale aired in March 2017. The writers were aware that season 12 would be the final season, allowing them time to carefully craft an ideal conclusion for all the characters. Despite this, in late December 2016, just days before the season 12 premiere and three months prior to the last episode airing, Peterson discussed the possibility of a Bones reunion. Speaking to TVLine, he stated, "I refuse to accept that this is the end. I am in complete denial. I have dedicated eight-and-a-half years to this show, and it feels like family to me. I have no desire to leave. In fact, I wouldn't rule out the idea of a reunion in a year or two."

Michaela Conlin Says "Anything Can Happen"

Regrettably, Peterson uttered these remarks nearly seven years in the past, and since then, there has been minimal tangible discussion regarding a potential revival of Bones or a potential thirteenth season. Fox has not yet revealed any plans to reunite the group, however, the fact that both the cast and crew persist in discussing the possibility of a comeback suggests that the desire for a revival may never fade away. It appears that many individuals who worked on Bones cherished their time on the show, making them more than willing to participate in a reunion, whether it takes the form of a thirteenth season, a spin-off, a movie, or any other endeavor.

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

Throughout the entire 12 seasons of Bones, Michaela Conlin portrayed the character Angela Montenegro, who served as Dr. Temperance Brennan's closest companion. Angela's role revolved around her work as a forensic artist at the Jeffersonian Institute, where she skillfully reconstructed facial features of victims and contributed to various crime scene investigations. Undoubtedly, Angela stood out as the most charismatic individual within the team at the Jeffersonian. In a recent interview with Collider in 2021, Conlin openly expressed her eagerness to reprise her beloved character in a potential revival of Bones.

Conlin, like others addressing the potential for a Bones reunion, stated that she is unaware of any concrete plans for it. While she would welcome the opportunity to reprise her role as Angela, she acknowledged the challenges of coordinating schedules and ensuring the necessary elements align perfectly. A revival would require everything to fall into place effortlessly, with various factors needing to be resolved to justify additional episodes and create a sense of deserving continuation.

T.J. Thyne Pitched A Bones Spin-off

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

Michael Conlin's TV husband, T.J. Thyne, has expressed his desire to reprise his role as Dr. Jack Hodgins from the procedural series Bones. Hodgins, an entomologist, botanist, and mineralogist at the Jeffersonian Institute, provided comedic relief throughout the show while occasionally revealing his sensitive side. Despite their on-and-off relationship, Hodgins eventually reconciled with Angela and they got married. After the series ended, Thyne disclosed that he had proposed a spin-off to the network. The concept involved Hodgins using his wealth from successful experiments and Angela's discovery of stolen billions to start his own lab. This lab would not be affiliated with the government or the FBI, and Hodgins would hire the squinterns to work with him. The spin-off would allow for diverse storylines beyond the FBI's jurisdiction, such as cases hired by wealthy individuals or local sheriff stations. Despite his efforts, the spin-off idea did not come to fruition.

Sadly, the spin-off was rejected by Fox, resulting in the conclusion of Thyne's portrayal of Dr. Jack Hodgins in the Bones series finale. However, speculation about a potential revival has sparked rumors, leaving open the possibility for Thyne to reprise his role as Hodgins in a future project. Undoubtedly, Thyne would be overjoyed to participate in a Bones reunion, if it were to happen.

Emily Deschanel Is Remaining Open To A Bones Revival

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

Emily Deschanel, the beloved actress who portrayed Dr. Temperance Brennan in the long-running procedural series Bones, has expressed her willingness to leave the door ajar for a potential revival. Having dedicated herself to the iconic role of the brilliant forensic anthropologist at the esteemed Jeffersonian Institute for all 12 seasons, Deschanel's involvement holds paramount importance in the prospect of resurrecting the show. After all, the series derives its very name from Seeley Booth's endearing nickname for Brennan. Shedding light on her stance in a candid interview with TVLine in 2022, Deschanel shared her thoughts:

Deschanel expressed her openness to the possibility of reprising her role as Brennan in a Bones revival, stating that if the circumstances were ideal, she would consider it. However, her co-star, David Boreanaz, initially denied any intention of returning. Fortunately, Boreanaz contradicted this statement in a subsequent interview.

David Boreanaz Claims A Bones Reunion Is "Realistic"

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

After Emily Deschanel discussed the potential for a revival of Bones, David Boreanaz shared his own thoughts on the matter. Boreanaz, who played FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth in the crime television show, was initially skeptical of the scientists at the Jeffersonian Institute, referring to them as "squints." However, as time went on, they became an important part of Booth's life. Given the significance of Booth and Brennan's relationship in the series, Boreanaz believes that any revival would need to include his character. Luckily, he is open to the idea. In an interview with The A.V. Club, the actor stated:

"As you age, you naturally lose the youthful appearance you had in your late 20s and early 30s. However, [Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer] was a 242-year-old vampire with a soul, which would make him around 260-something with a soul now. So, I'm not sure how that would translate visually. On the other hand, Seeley Booth's storyline with Temperance Brennan and their banter was always compelling. It would be interesting to explore where they are now. Personally, I think that would be a more realistic approach."

Creator Hart Hanson Is Hopeful About Returning To Bones

Whereas Boreanaz is more hesitant to portray Angel, a character he previously played in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spin-off Angel, he does not share the same reservations about reprising his role as Booth. The actor believes that a revival of Bones is more likely to occur. As of now, fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement.

The Unforgettable Future of Bones: What Lies Ahead After Season 12

In addition to securing the participation of the leading actors in a potential Bones revival, it would be vital to ensure that the show's creator, Hart Hanson, remains in charge of the reunion. Thankfully, there is encouraging news as the writer appears enthusiastic about returning to the realm of the Fox procedural television series. In an interview with Variety, Hanson expressed the following sentiments:

There is currently no definitive news about a revival of Bones, despite the willingness of many individuals involved in the show. Speculation about a reunion is based on comments made by the cast and crew expressing their interest in returning to their former roles. While this is not sufficient evidence to confirm a Bones revival, it does provide hope for fans that it may occur in the future.

Sources: TVLine, Collider, Renegade Geek, The A.V. Club, Variety