Sons of Anarchy was one of the most popular and critically acclaimed crime drama series that aired on FX from 2008 to 2014. The show followed the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California. The club was led by Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam), who struggled to balance his personal and professional life, as well as his loyalty to his family and his club. The show explored themes such as violence, corruption, betrayal, loyalty, family, and redemption.
The show ran for seven seasons, with each season consisting of 13 episodes. The seventh and final season concluded on December 9, 2014, with a shocking and tragic finale that left many fans heartbroken and satisfied at the same time. The show was praised for its writing, acting, directing, and soundtrack, and received several awards and nominations, including five Primetime Emmy nominations.
However, despite the show’s success and popularity, many fans were left wondering if there was any possibility of a season 8. After all, the show had a loyal fan base that wanted to see more of their favorite characters and their stories. Moreover, the show had a rich and complex mythology that could be explored further in a potential season 8. So, is there any hope for Sons of Anarchy season 8? Or is it time to say goodbye to the show for good? Here is everything we know so far.
Is Sons of Anarchy Season 8 Canceled?
The short answer is yes, Sons of Anarchy season 8 has been officially canceled by FX. The network and the show’s creator, Kurt Sutter, announced that season 7 would be the last season of the show back in 2013. Sutter explained that he had a clear vision of how he wanted to end the show, and that he felt that seven seasons was enough to tell the story he wanted to tell. He also said that he wanted to end the show on a high note, rather than dragging it on for too long and losing its quality.
Sutter also revealed that he had considered making a prequel or a sequel to the show, but he decided against it. He said that he did not want to tarnish the legacy of the show by making something that was not as good as the original. He also said that he wanted to respect the fans’ attachment to the show and its characters, and that he did not want to exploit their love for the show by making something that was not necessary.
However, Sutter did not rule out the possibility of making a spin-off series based on another motorcycle club in the same universe as Sons of Anarchy. In fact, he confirmed that he was working on a spin-off series called Mayans M.C., which would focus on the rival club of Sons of Anarchy, the Mayans. The spin-off series premiered on FX in 2018, and has been renewed for a fourth season.
Why Was Sons of Anarchy Season 8 Canceled?
Apart from Sutter’s creative decision to end the show after seven seasons, there were also some other factors that contributed to the cancellation of Sons of Anarchy season 8. One of them was the contract dispute between FX and Netflix, which resulted in the removal of Sons of Anarchy from Netflix in 2018. Netflix had acquired the streaming rights for Sons of Anarchy in 2011, and had been airing the show on its platform since then. However, in 2017, Disney (which owns FX) announced that it would launch its own streaming service called Disney+, and that it would pull out all its content from Netflix. This meant that Sons of Anarchy would no longer be available on Netflix after 2018.
This was a huge blow for both Netflix and Sons of Anarchy fans, as Netflix had been one of the main sources of viewership for the show. Many fans had discovered and binge-watched the show on Netflix, and had become loyal followers of the show. Moreover, Netflix had also helped boost the ratings and popularity of the show by exposing it to a wider audience. Therefore, losing Netflix as a partner meant losing a significant portion of the fan base and revenue for FX and Sons of Anarchy.
Another factor that influenced the cancellation of Sons of Anarchy season 8 was the cast’s availability and willingness to return for another season. Most of the main cast members had moved on to other projects after wrapping up Sons of Anarchy, and some of them had expressed their reluctance to reprise their roles for another season. For instance, Charlie Hunnam (who played Jax) said that he was ready to move on from Sons of Anarchy after seven years, and that he felt that his character’s story had reached its natural conclusion. He also said that he was exhausted from playing such a dark and intense role, and that he wanted to explore other genres and characters. Similarly, Katey Sagal (who played Jax’s mother, Gemma) said that she was happy with the way the show ended, and that she did not see any reason to return for another season. She also said that she was proud of the work she had done on the show, and that she wanted to leave it at that.
Therefore, even if FX and Sutter had wanted to make Sons of Anarchy season 8, they would have faced a lot of challenges in terms of securing the rights, the budget, and the cast for another season. Moreover, they would have risked alienating the fans and compromising the quality of the show by making a season that was not in line with Sutter’s original vision and the show’s established tone and style.
What Would Sons of Anarchy Season 8 Be About?
Even though Sons of Anarchy season 8 has been canceled, many fans have speculated about what it would be about if it ever happened. Some fans have suggested that season 8 could focus on the aftermath of Jax’s death, and how it affected his family, his club, and his enemies. Some fans have also suggested that season 8 could introduce new characters and new conflicts, such as Jax’s sons, Abel and Thomas, growing up and following in their father’s footsteps, or a new rival club or a law enforcement agency threatening the peace and stability of Charming.
However, these are just fan theories and speculations, and there is no official confirmation or indication that Sons of Anarchy season 8 would follow any of these scenarios. In fact, Sutter has said that he had no plans or ideas for season 8, and that he had wrapped up all the loose ends and storylines in season 7. He also said that he had given the fans a satisfying and conclusive ending for the show, and that he did not want to ruin it by making something that was not consistent with the show’s essence.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Sons of Anarchy season 8 would ever happen, or that it would be anything like what the fans imagined. The best thing for the fans to do is to accept the show’s fate, and to appreciate the seven seasons that they got to enjoy.
Conclusion
Sons of Anarchy was a phenomenal show that captivated millions of fans around the world with its gripping story, compelling characters, and thrilling action. The show ran for seven seasons on FX, and ended on a high note in 2014. However, many fans were left wanting more, and hoped for a season 8. Unfortunately, Sons of Anarchy season 8 has been canceled by FX, due to various reasons such as Sutter’s creative decision, Netflix’s contract dispute, and cast’s availability. Moreover, Sutter has said that he had no intention or idea of making season 8, and that he had given the fans a complete and satisfying ending for the show. Therefore, there is no hope for Sons of Anarchy season 8 to happen, and fans should cherish the seven seasons that they got to watch.
FAQs
Q: Is Sons of Anarchy based on a true story?
A: No, Sons of Anarchy is not based on a true story. However, Sutter has said that he was inspired by some real-life motorcycle clubs and events while creating the show. He has also said that he consulted with some former bikers and experts to make the show more realistic and authentic.
Q: How did Jax die in Sons of Anarchy?
A: Jax died in the final episode of Sons of Anarchy by deliberately crashing his motorcycle into an oncoming truck. He did this to fulfill his father’s legacy, to protect his club from further violence, and to atone for his sins.
Q: Is Mayans M.C. connected to Sons of Anarchy?
A: Yes, Mayans M.C. is connected to Sons of Anarchy. Mayans M.C. is a spin-off series that focuses on the Mayans Motorcycle Club, which was a rival club of Sons of Anarchy in the original series. The spin-off series is set in a post-Jax Teller world, and features some crossover characters and references from Sons of Anarchy.
Q: Will there be a prequel or a sequel to Sons of Anarchy?
A: There is no official confirmation or announcement about a prequel or a sequel to Sons of Anarchy. However, Sutter has said that he had considered making a prequel or a sequel to the show in the past, but he decided against it. He has also said that he does not want to make anything that would tarnish the legacy or quality of the original series. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be a prequel or a sequel to Sons of Anarchy anytime soon.
Q: Where can I watch Sons of Anarchy?