Here's what viewers can expect from Search Party season 5, including a renewal status, a release date, and possible story details. Developed by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter, the satirical dark comedy debuted on TBS before finding a new home on HBO Max. After launching as a missing person's investigative mystery, Search Party has transformed into a full-blown thriller. Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early, and Meredith Hagner continue to serve as the core cast as four friends swept up into a web of dark secrets and murder.

Search Party centers on the life of Dory Sief (Shawkat) after her investigation into an acquaintance goes very wrong. Her boyfriend Drew (Reynolds), and two friends, Elliot (Early) and Portia (Hagner), become involved in what turns into a cover-up for a murder they accidentally committed. The harder the group tries to keep the truth a secret, the more fractured they become. Dory's morals then come into question while she and Drew are put on trial. Despite finding freedom, Dory gets herself immediately thrown into another dicey situation.

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Season 4 marks the second installment to stream exclusively on HBO Max. With more freedom in terms of content, Search Party dives deeper into the horror tones. Not only is Dory attacked by a stalker, Chip Wreck (Cole Escola), but season 4 reveals that the unstable man holds her hostage for months. Dory's friends eventually find her, but the girl they once knew seems to be gone forever. After suffering from a form of Stockholm syndrome, Dory finally gets the chance to contemplate her past, but it almost comes too late.

Search Party Season 5 Renewal

Alia Shawkat in Search Party Season 4

Search Party hasn't been renewed for season 5 at the time of writing. After airing on TBS for its first two installments, the dark comedy moved to HBO Max as part of their original slate of programming. Though all episodes of season 4 are now streaming, the WarnerMedia service hasn't revealed the fate of the show. Considering the cliffhanger ending, the writers have made it clear that there's more story to tell if HBO Max gives the green light.

Search Party Season 5 Release Date

HBO Max

Search Party's release schedule hasn't been consistent when looking back at the show's history. After season 2, the show went on a two-and-a-half-year hiatus due to the switch from TBS to HBO Max. On average, seasons have taken the production team about three months to film. Assuming the cast and crew get started by the end of 2021, season 5 could potentially release in mid-2022. Based on extra production precautions, late 2022 is probably more likely. Even if Search Party is renewed in the months after the season 4 release, new logistics are surrounding the coronavirus pandemic to consider.

Search Party Season 5 Story Details

HBO Max

For much of the Search Party season 4 finale, viewers are led to believe that Dory is killed in the fire set by Chip's aunt/mother. Her friends and family hold a funeral, mourning her death while also coming to terms with her complicated past. With Dory very much alive, season 5 would potentially follow what's next for the character following her near-death experience. After fearing her true self, Dory will need to learn how to cope with her past actions while coming to terms with her recent trauma at the hands of Chip. Drew, Elliot, and Portia are also still on a journey of self-realization. It will be interesting to see how the truth about Dory affects the next chapter of their lives.

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