Big changes will happen when "Bones" returns for season 11 this fall.
Executive producer Stephen Nathan talked about the unexpected conclusion of the previous season and about the big changes that will happen in season 11. He discussed the shocking decisions made by the lead characters in the series and the implications of their actions.
On Thursday's season 10 finale, Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Booth (David Boreanaz) decided to quit their jobs at the Jeffersonian Institute Medico-Legal Lab. They wanted to seek a new life in a different place after struggling with a lot of issues in their marriage. On the other hand, Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) and Angela (Michaela Conlin) postponed their plans to go to Paris to stay at the institute.
TV Line pointed out that the ending of season 10 seems like a series finale. They asked Nathan, who will leave the show after season 10, if they deliberately did that in case the network decided not to renew "Bones" for another season, and the exiting executive producer confirmed it.
"If this was really going to be it, we wanted it to be the end. Now, at the same time, once we were kind of down the road and the show got picked up – we knew this was a possibility – there had to be some kind of subtextual something going on that gave us the feel that it could keep going," Nathan stated.
Nathan was also asked if fans will see who will replace Brennan at the Jeffersonian, and he said that while the plans are still not set in stone, the replacement for the post will definitely be shown.
The executive producer also told The Hollywood Reporter that season 11 will feature a time lapse, wherein Brennan and Booth will have an opportunity to live the life that they have always wanted, until they have to return to the institute again for some reason.
He also mentioned that the dynamics inside the lab will change while the two lead characters are gone, since time will not stop for them. Fans should prepare to see a new structure next season.
"Bones" season 11 is slated to return on FOX's Thursday night schedule later this year.
