Fans of Sullivan’s Crossing have received welcome news with one significant catch. The popular romantic drama has officially been renewed for a fifth season, ensuring that Maggie Sullivan’s story will continue. However, while production is set to begin soon, viewers will have to wait until 2027 before new episodes arrive.

Based on Robyn Carr’s bestselling novel series, Sullivan’s Crossing follows neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan, played by Morgan Kohan, whose successful life in Boston unravels after a legal scandal forces her to return to her hometown in rural Nova Scotia. There, she reconnects with her estranged father, Sully, and gradually rebuilds her life while developing a slow-burning romance with Cal Jones, portrayed by Chad Michael Murray.

Since premiering, the series has steadily expanded its audience through broadcasts on The CW and later through Netflix, where it found an even larger international fan base.

The newly announced fifth season will consist of 10 episodes, with filming expected to begin later this summer in Nova Scotia. Although production is moving forward quickly, the series is not expected to premiere until sometime in 2027. An official release date has not yet been announced.

Beyond the delayed return, Season 5 will introduce a significant creative change behind the scenes.

Series creator Roma Roth, who has served as the show’s head writer since its debut, will step away from that position. Although she will remain involved as an executive producer on both Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River, day-to-day writing responsibilities will now be handled by Floyd Kane.

Roth’s decision is connected to another adaptation of Robyn Carr’s work. She will become the head writer of Thunder Point, a new television series based on another of Carr’s popular book collections.

Announcing the transition, Roth expressed confidence in Kane’s ability to guide the next chapter of Sullivan’s Crossing, praising his storytelling while explaining that the move allows her to continue expanding adaptations of Carr’s novels.

For viewers, the change raises questions about whether the tone or direction of the series may evolve under a new head writer, though the core creative team remains involved.

Another topic likely to attract attention is the future of Scott Patterson, who portrayed Sully Sullivan, Maggie’s father.

Patterson exited the series following Season 3 after publicly citing creative differences. His departure was written into the story by having Sully leave for Ireland, allowing the character to remain part of the show’s universe without appearing on screen during Season 4.

At the time, Roth explained that Sully continued to exist within the story and could potentially return in future seasons if the creative direction aligned. However, Patterson later clarified that his departure stemmed from disagreements over the show’s direction, saying he ultimately felt he could no longer continue with the series.

Current reports indicate there are no plans for Patterson to return in any significant capacity during Season 5, making it unlikely that Sully will rejoin the central storyline in the near future.

Despite that absence, the heart of the series remains Maggie’s ongoing personal journey and her relationship with Cal, which has developed gradually across previous seasons. With Kohan and Chad Michael Murray expected to continue leading the cast, Season 5 will likely focus on how their relationship evolves alongside the close-knit community surrounding Sullivan’s Crossing.

The renewal also reflects the show’s growing popularity beyond its original Canadian audience. After the first three seasons became available on Netflix in 2025, the series reached a much broader international viewership. Season 4 was added to the streaming platform shortly after its broadcast finale, further increasing interest in the romantic drama.

Although fans now have confirmation that Sullivan’s Crossing will continue, the combination of a long wait, a new head writer, and the continued absence of one of the original lead characters means Season 5 will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the series. How audiences respond to those changes will become clearer when the show finally returns in 2027.

Source: Compiled from various sources