Will There Be La Brea Season 4? Here’s What We Know

NBC’s ambitious sci-fi drama La Brea captivated audiences with its wild premise: a massive sinkhole opens in Los Angeles, transporting survivors to a mysterious world set in 10,000 BC. Over three seasons, the show explored prehistoric survival, fractured family bonds, and the ethics of time travel. But as fans eagerly awaited news of a fourth season, NBC made a definitive decision—La Brea would end with Season 3.

Why La Brea Season 4 Isn’t Happening?

In November 2023, NBC officially confirmed that La Brea would not be renewed for a fourth season. The final episode aired on February 13, 2024, marking the end of the series with a shortened six-episode run. This abbreviated season was a strategic move, influenced by several key factors:

-Industry Strikes: The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023 disrupted production schedules across Hollywood, prompting NBC to scale back its commitment to ongoing series.

-Budget Constraints: With its heavy reliance on visual effects, elaborate sets, and international filming locations (notably in Australia), La Brea was an expensive show to produce.

-Declining Ratings: While Season 1 debuted with strong viewership, subsequent seasons saw a steady drop in ratings, making it harder to justify the cost of continuation.

A Purposeful Ending

Despite the cancellation, showrunner David Appelbaum ensured that La Brea didn’t end on a cliffhanger. Season 3 wrapped up major story arcs, including the destruction of the time portal and the final showdown with the Reisander Group. The Harris family—Eve, Gavin, Izzy, and Josh—finally returned to modern-day Los Angeles, giving fans a sense of closure.

Appelbaum revealed in interviews that he had always envisioned emotional “landmarks” for the series finale. His goal was to deliver a cathartic conclusion that honored the characters’ journeys while resolving lingering mysteries.

Legacy of La Brea

Though La Brea won’t return for Season 4, its three-season run carved out a niche in the sci-fi genre. It blended survival drama with speculative science fiction, offering a unique take on time travel and prehistoric adventure. The show’s commitment to character-driven storytelling, especially the emotional core of the Harris family, helped it stand out amid a crowded TV landscape.

For fans of genre television, La Brea remains a binge-worthy experience—complete with dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, and high-stakes time loops.