Snowpiercer spoilers follow.
Snowpiercer is still riding on, but whether it'll arrive at the station – or, indeed, any station – is in doubt after the project experienced an unexpected stop.
Even though season four is finished and ready to broadcast, it will not air on TNT, Variety confirmed via a statement from the network last year.
"We can confirm that TNT will not air season four of Snowpiercer. This was a difficult decision, but our admiration for the talented writers, actors and crew who brought Snowpiercer's extraordinary post-apocalyptic world to life remains strong," the statement read.
"We have been working collaboratively with the producers since last year to help the series find a new home where fans can continue to enjoy the compelling story and exceptional visual experience. We look forward to working with them on future projects."
Having been given a promising future with a super-early season renewal by TNT back in July 2021 (while season three was still in production), now it seems that the train has been derailed, and it might be a while before viewers see the last jam-packed set of episodes.
So what exactly is going on? Join us as we journey on to discover what's happening on Snowpiercer in season four.
Snowpiercer season 4 potential release date: When will it air?
As mentioned above, Snowpiercer's fourth and final season has been confirmed and completed.
But since there isn't anywhere for it to air yet, it hasn't been given a release date. Season one premiered in May 2020, followed by seasons two and three in the last week of January 2021 and 2022, respectively.
It seemed likely that this would also be the release schedule for season four, but now that the situation's changed, all bets are off. The one positive we can take from all this is that TNT is open to finding another home for the final season – let's hope it's successful.
In December 2023, Mike O'Malley – who plays Roche on the series – said he was still "trying to get an answer" on whether anywhere is willing to provide season four with that home.
"But that entire fourth season is in the can and that's going to end up somewhere," he added, noting that the last season had "incredible storytelling done by our [new] showrunner Paul Zbyszewski".
The actor went on to share what fans can expect from season four, saying: "We were actually hoping that we'd keep going, but I think there's an ending to that where it could be the end, and it's very hopeful... So I really, really can't wait for that show to get out there and for people to see it, because it's awesome."
Snowpiercer season 4 cast: Who's in it?
Snowpiercer's cast is dwindling faster than humanity did when this everlasting winter first hit. But saying that, there are a few safe bets set to return, including Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Alison Wright, Rowan Blanchard, Iddo Goldberg, Lena Hall, Mickey Sumner, Sam Otto, Sheila Vand, Mike O'Malley, Roberto Urbina, and Jaylin Fletcher.
In the season three finale, there was only one major death, with LJ Folger accidentally choking on her late father's artificial eye. As you do. So that means Annalise Basso won't return, but what about Mr Wilford?
Right now, it's unclear whether Sean Bean will be back following the events of season three – which would be a shame, of course, but it's not all bad news.
Snowpiercer has added two new cast members to season four: Agents of SHIELD's Clark Gregg and The Americans star Michael Aronov. Will one fill that villainous gap left by Mr Wilford's absence?
Snowpiercer season 4 plot: What will happen?
For a show set in just one location, Snowpiercer sure does love to mix up the status quo, continually surprising us with game-changing twists that change everything we know about the show.
This time around, season three's finale split the 1,029-cars-long train between the passengers who wanted to stay with Melanie and those who decided to follow Andre for a new start in New Eden. Instead of instigating another war, the passengers could choose their own future, which is hopeful for such an apocalyptic show.
Speaking about this decision, Connelly told Newsweek: "They found a way forward that gave the people a choice. I think that that's the thing that she really wanted. I think it was it was a fair solution.
"There are those people who were willing to take the risk. I think that for Melanie, the issue was they don't know the risk they're taking, and they don't know the odds of survival. So, unless we give them that information, where we're keeping the power and we need to shift and let them share in that responsibility of that decision."
The final episode then ends with a time jump that takes us forward three months, where Melanie spots a missile launch from an unknown point on the horizon.
Did it come from Big Alice, which should hopefully now be in New Eden? That seems unlikely because Andre's group should be much further away by now. It's more likely that the missile was sent from a new, unknown location where more survivors live.
In fact, that's how the show will probably introduce Clark Gregg and Michael Aronov's new characters. And we wouldn't be surprised if Wilford is caught up in all this somehow too.
But what is the missile for, exactly? Is it a beacon of some sort? Does it represent another attempt to warm the Earth up from the atmosphere?
Wilford was having something of a power struggle throughout season three, trying to gain control of Snowpiercer from Layton, who he believes isn't capable of running it himself. He was partially successful, too, having commandeered several of the train cars to form his own train, only to hand it back later after facing Layton's threat. Is this his return trick?
Whatever happens, Snowpiercer's new showrunner Paul Zbyszewski has promised us that season four will introduce "new worlds" and create "new mysteries" for us to obsess over.
Snowpiercer season 4 trailer: When can I watch it?
Grab your thermals because, unfortunately, you'll be waiting out here for a while to see new footage. Unless a new network can step in, it might even end up being locked up forever.
But if it does arrive, know that Digital Spy will be on hand to reveal the first look at Snowpiercer season four. Just keep checking back in here. Easy!
Snowpiercer seasons 1-3 aired on TNT in the US. UK viewers can catch up with each season on Netflix.
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After teaching in England and South Korea, David turned to writing in Germany, where he covered everything from superhero movies to the Berlin Film Festival.
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