Homeland creator defends Carrie’s shocking betrayal in final episode – admitting ‘anxiety and stress were off the chart’
HOMELAND'S series finale has not only left fans reeling with its jaw-dropping twists but its creators having to defend their decision.
The long-running CIA drama ended after eight seasons on Sunday and managed to drop some huge bombshells along the way.
Firstly, Damien Lewis’ original protagonist Nicholas Brody reappeared from seasons and then a time jump at the end of the episode revealed Claire Danes’ Carrie Mathison was now in Moscow working with Yevgeny Gromov (Costa Ronin) most likely working as a double agent.
Perhaps most shocking to fans was Carrie's betrayal of long-time mentor and confidant Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin).
Homeland co-creator Alex Gansa defended the series' ending of a show that was originally based on the Israeli drama, Prisoners of War.
He told : "All we were hoping for, in our wildest dreams, was to find some satisfying conclusion to this 8-year run, and if we got close to achieving that, I think we can all be really happy.
"I mean, you know, the amount of anxiety and stress that went into these last couple of episodes were just you know, off the charts.
"Our expectations were so high."
Alex quickly shut down any speculation the show might return especially considering Carrie and Saul were still alive.
He said: "I think what we were thinking more was to allow this story to continue in the imaginations of our fans. Not to abruptly end the story, but to let it continue, and let the people think about, my God, what happens next?
"Rather than answer that question, just let the hope of that carry you through."
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The US spy thriller drew to an end on Showtime in the States at the weekend and on Channel 4 on Sunday in the UK.
The show ended on a cliff-hanger in which the CIA agent must either set up a war between America and Pakistan or allow close friend Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) to be killed.
Having found out Saul had a female mole inside the Russian government, Carrie could not work out their identity due to a complex communication system hidden inside the spines of old books.
Since debuting in 2011, the show has won eight Emmys including acting gongs for both Claire and Damien.
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