Syfy’s Warehouse 13 is widely regarded as one of the best cult classic science fiction shows to grace the 2000s and 2010s. It includes all the hallmarks of an immersive sci-fi show: low-to-mid budget special effects, dramatic season finales, archetypes reused throughout the genre, and extensive world-building. And, just like many genre TV classics, including Syfy’s Eureka, Fox’s Firefly, NBC’s Journeyman, and more, Warehouse 13 was eventually canceled and later given a rushed final season.
Warehouse 13 differs from its counterparts in that it debuted in 2009 and eventually wrapped in 2014, meaning it was an integral part of the transition between network television series and streaming exclusives. It was canceled after a downturn in viewership, a key factor in determining network show success, despite its consistent critically-positive reception.
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Eight years after its conclusion, there is growing momentum for a reboot.
The announcement was made at Dragon Con 2022 that a Warehouse 13 reboot is on the table. Eddie McClintock (played the role of Pete Lattimer) announced that himself, Allison Scagliotti (played the role of Claudia Donovan), Jack Kenny (former executive producer), and Mark Stern (former Syfy original programming president, current president/partner at IM Global Television) are actively calling for and pursuing a reboot of the famed cult classic.
As McClintock addressed the ongoing rumors of a potential reboot during a panel, the announcement was met with an eruption of cheers and applause.
Five Seasons of Syfy’s Warehouse 13
Syfy
The overall concept of Warehouse 13 centers on a government-owned-and-operated warehouse that contains “artifacts” with special abilities, including time travel, spontaneous creation, premonition, copious amounts of luck, etc. Agents of the warehouse are tasked with identifying, containing, and archiving the artifacts (otherwise known as “snag it, bag it, and tag it”) in an effort to prevent undue harm or mayhem.
The series followed Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly: Going The Distance, Don’t Blink, Second Opinion) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock: Shooter, Bones, Miracle at Manchester), two United States Secret Service agents. Both agents had a chance confrontation with a mysterious artifact and the man who apprehended it, Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek: Unforgiven, Hunters, Frasier). Due to their high level of instinct, knowledge, and skill displayed during their first meeting, Myka and Pete were recruited to work for Warehouse 13 with its bed and breakfast owner Leena (Genelle Williams: Family Law, Orphan, Spiral), and the warehouse caretaker, Mrs. Irene Frederic (CCH. Pounder: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The X-Files, ER, The Shield).
The series follows their exploits throughout the United States and eventually the world, containing imaginative artifacts that, though fictional, have a deep basis in history and classic literature. The intersection of the whimsical artifacts and the distinct, dynamic characters at the heart of the series provided the opportunity for humor, drama, suspense, and mystery throughout the show.
Myka and Pete are later joined by Claudia Donovan (Allison Scagliotti: Drake and Josh, Stitchers, Eureka), Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore: Locke and Key, SkyMed, Killjoys), Helena G. Wells (Jaime Murray: Castlevania, Dexter, Midnight, Texas) to form an ensemble cast.
Other series regulars and notable cameos include Lindsay Wagner (The Bionic Woman, The Paper Chase) as Dr. Vanessa Calder, Paula Garcés (Clockstoppers, Man of The House, CSI; Miami) as Kelly Hernandez, Jeri Ryan (Boston Public, Star Trek Picard) as Amanda Lattimer, Kelly Hu (Nash Bridges, Finding ‘Ohana) as Abigail Cho, Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager, Orange Is The New Black) as Jane Lattimer, Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Firefly) as Benedict Valda, Ashley Williams (The Jim Gaffigan Show, How I Met Your Mother) as Sally Stukowski, and Rene Auberjonois (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Good Doctor) as Hugo Miller.
The series was canceled after season four, but a significant online outcry from Warehouse fans coerced Syfy to give it a small season five to wrap up loose ends. Each main character of the cast was given their own minor plot for closure, and the series was hurriedly wrapped with all but a haphazard bow placed on top, marking the most critically received season of the show.
The Show’s Lore Left the Door Open for More ‘Warehouse’ Stories
Despite the efforts of Jack Kenny, David Simkins, Drew Z. Greenberg, Jane Espenson, and D. Brent Mole, the series has many doors left wide open. With a name like Warehouse 13, there is an implication that there were twelve previous outlets for all the world’s mysteries.
In season two, the show explained the warehouse’s history and introduced the concept of a “nomadic” warehouse into the canon and lore. In essence, the warehouse “follows” the center of modern society; notable locations include Cairo, Egypt, London, England, the former Kingdom of Macedonia in Greece, etc. When it is time to relocate because of a major societal or cultural shift, an elaborate process ensues. The previous warehouse is closed off and safeguarded as the new one opens.
The show’s conclusion revealed the warehouse had begun its elaborate process of moving. Despite there being no clear date as to when this would happen or even where it would relocate to, this process showed the imminent end of the reign of Warehouse 13. In the show’s lore, though, the “warehouse” will continue its cyclical metamorphosis forever, leaving a wealth of possible settings and plots for Syfy’s show or possible alternatives. The finale wasn’t the end of the warehouse forever – it’s just the end of the thirteenth one.
How a Reboot Could Feature the Original Cast
One of the last shots of the show has Pete, Myka, Claudia, and Steve crowded around Artie at his desk. They all discussed a new “ping” for an artifact, showing that even in the midst of the end of the warehouse, the agents were still compelled to do their beloved jobs. It also suggested that the agents of Warehouse 13 continued to work in the same setting until its planned obsolescence. The caretaker for Warehouse 13, Mrs. Frederick, was very clear that there was no set timeline for the transition from the thirteenth to the fourteenth warehouse. Therefore, it is entirely possible in canon that the thirteenth Warehouse doesn’t move for a very long time – decades, or a century, even. A reboot could chronicle the “last generation” of agents to work in its halls.
If the showrunners take this avenue, that would call for a reunion of the main ensemble cast members and potential cameos from past series regulars. Whether they pick up right where the previous show left off, they jump forward in time to the end of Myka, Pete, Steve, and Claudia’s employment, or they present an entirely new Warehouse 13 plot in Jack Kenny’s signature manner, there will likely be an on-screen reunion of previous stars in this potential avenue.
A Reboot with Claudia as Caretaker
The other notable final shot of the finale displayed Claudia Donovan as caretaker in what seems to be the thirteenth warehouse despite the hype of a warehouse move. She appeared in a startling manner, paying homage to her predecessor Mrs. Frederick, and addressed a new, never-before-seen group of agents. The transition from Mrs. Frederic to Claudia had been hinted at throughout the series, with Claudia rejecting her destiny as caretaker, tentatively entertaining the idea, and seemingly leaving the opportunity unresolved.
Depending on when the transition from Warehouse 13 to Warehouse 14 takes place, a reboot could center on Claudia taking over and learning about the enigma that is the warehouse. There are no set guidelines on when or how this has to happen; Claudia could continue as an agent for years until the transition to caretaker must take place. The only notable stipulation of taking on the mantle of caretaker is that Claudia would not age. Because her life is tied to the new warehouse, she will live as its caretaker for as long as it remains in existence.
If the showrunners take this avenue, they could bring in an entirely new cast of agents, much like the ones seen in the season five finale. Claudia, as the caretaker, would open up the plot of the Warehouse 13 reboot and allow for a new timeline, physical setting, new lore about the world, a new composition of the revered ensemble cast, and a new warehouse atmosphere. However, depending on when the show is set, this avenue would minimize the likelihood of former stars having a major role in the potential reboot. Even if they cannot return as leads, the likelihood is high that the former cast will return for cameos or roles as series regulars, especially given that McClintock, Ashmore, and Scagliotti are the primary ones advocating for the show’s return.
Even without any official news, hashtags #WAREHOUSE13 and #RebootWarehouse13 have substantially grown on social media. Time will tell if the fans and cast are heard.
