The countdown may have begun for a mainstay of Syfy channel’s line up of original programming. The channel has ordered a round of episodes for the sixth season of Eureka, but the short order of six episodes has many thinking the show’s future may be in question.

After premiering the second half of Eureka's fourth season to a respectable 2 million viewers last month, the quirky show starring Colin Ferguson and Salli Richardson-Whitfield is still a solid performer for the network. As a testament to the show’s continued popularity, Eureka is also sporting a bevy of geek-centric guest stars in the season’s remaining episodes – which should help keep ratings strong.

Even as Eureka's season 4 continues its run this summer, filming on season 5 is already underway. That season has been given a complete order of 13 episodes. After word broke that season 6 has (of now) been cut to a half-season, the assumption soon became that cast and crew would reconvene in the fall to film what would be the final six episodes of the series.

While not as shocking as say Frank Darabont stepping away from his showrunning duties on The Walking Dead, given nothing of the sort was mentioned during the Eureka panel at Comic Con 2011, or subsequent interview with producer Bruce Miller – the news of the show’s future may have come as a bit of a surprise.

All hope is not lost however, as Syfy president of original programming Mark Stern, reassures fans of the series by stating their desire to continue the Eureka franchise.

“Bruce Miller and Jaime Paglia have brought a creative vitality to Eureka that has kept it fresh and inventive. Although we do not have a commitment beyond six episodes for the sixth season, we are hopeful that this will not be the end of the franchise."

Ryan Cartwright Azita Ghanizada Malik Yoba David Strathairn Warren Christie Laura Mennell Alphas

Although this isn’t a firm indication in either direction, fans can seek solace in Stern’s desire to see a continuation of Eureka. In what form that will be however, is anyone’s guess.

With the show still attracting a healthy (by Syfy standards) audience, and no hint of a creative drain from the producers, perhaps the suggestion of Eureka’s demise should, for the time being, be put on hold. However, as the network works to broaden its line up of original programming – with the likes of Being Human, Warehouse 13, the recently debuted Alphas and more, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Syfy were to make room in its schedule by saying goodbye to one of its older programs.

For fans of Eureka, this will be news to watch.

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Eureka airs Mondays @8pm on SyFy

Source: Deadline