Good Girls Season 5: The Shocking Truth Behind The Cancellation And Where The Cast Is Now In 2025

The question of "Will there be a *Good Girls* Season 5?" remains one of the most frustrating cliffhangers in modern television history. As of December 2025, the definitive answer is no—the series was officially canceled by NBC after its fourth season in 2021, leaving the complex, high-stakes lives of Beth, Ruby, and Annie frustratingly unresolved. However, the story behind the cancellation is far more dramatic than a simple ratings dip, involving a highly publicized on-set feud and a last-minute financial collapse that even a pay cut from the main stars couldn't fix. This is the complete, current breakdown of the final, desperate attempts to secure a fifth season, the real reasons it failed, and what the beloved cast members are doing right now.

For years, fans clung to the hope of a final season or a wrap-up movie, especially after the Season 4 finale left the three suburban mothers deeper in the crime world than ever before. Unfortunately, the combination of complex financial negotiations and alleged personal conflicts between the lead actors ultimately sealed the fate of the crime-comedy, ensuring that the highly anticipated "Brio" storyline and Annie's fate would forever be left to fan-fiction.

The Real Story: Why *Good Girls* Season 5 Was Canceled (The Financials and the Feud)

The cancellation of *Good Girls* was a two-pronged failure, stemming from both corporate finance and on-set tension. While the show was a modest performer for NBC, it was a massive international hit for Netflix, which often fuels the hope for a last-minute rescue. However, the costs associated with a fifth season proved insurmountable for the network.

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The Financial Breakdown

The primary reason cited by NBC was a failure to "make the financials work" for a fifth and final season.

• Budget Negotiations: The studio was reportedly looking to cut the budget significantly for a final, shortened season.
• Cast Pay Cuts: Lead actresses Christina Hendricks (Beth Boland), Retta (Ruby Hill), and Mae Whitman (Annie Marks) all reportedly agreed to take substantial pay cuts to help secure the renewal.
• The Sticking Point: Negotiations ultimately stalled when the final cast member needed to agree to the new financial terms reportedly refused, leading NBC to officially pull the plug.

The "One Person Ruined It" Feud

The financial story was quickly overshadowed by sensational claims from the cast. Retta, who played Ruby Hill, famously stated in multiple interviews that "one person ruined it for all of cast and crew."

• The Alleged Conflict: This comment is widely speculated to refer to the alleged strained working relationship between Christina Hendricks and Manny Montana, who played the fan-favorite crime boss, Rio.
• On-Set Tension: Sources indicated a notable tension between the two stars, whose on-screen chemistry as Beth and Rio (often referred to as "Brio") was a cornerstone of the series' popularity. The actors themselves described their relationship as strictly "professional."
• Manny Montana's Role: While some reports suggested Montana's contract negotiations were the final hurdle, the persistent narrative of the on-set friction between the two leads served as a major impediment to the smooth production of a final season.

Ultimately, the combination of NBC’s unwillingness to invest further and the internal dynamics among the cast meant the series ended abruptly, leaving viewers with a massive cliffhanger.

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Unresolved Cliffhangers: 5 Burning Questions the Finale Left Fans With

The Season 4 finale, titled "Nevada," was not written as a series finale, which is why it left so many major storylines hanging. Fans desperately needed a fifth season to resolve these crucial plot threads:

1. What is Annie’s Fate After Her Arrest?

The biggest shock of the finale was Annie Marks taking the fall for Beth's crimes, specifically the attempted murder of Nick. Annie was last seen being arrested, seemingly sacrificing herself to protect her sister and the family. Season 5 was expected to focus heavily on Annie’s life in prison, her relationship with her son Ben, and the trio’s efforts to get her out.

2. Did Beth Really Become Rio's Boss?

The final moments of Season 4 saw Beth Boland successfully frame Nick, taking over his seat on the city council and, more importantly, effectively taking over Rio’s money-laundering operation. The dynamic shifted completely, with Beth now in the position of power—a storyline that was set to be the central conflict of Season 5. Fans needed to see Beth navigate this new, powerful role and how Rio would react to being her subordinate.

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3. What Happens to Stan and Ruby’s New Business?

Ruby Hill and her husband, Stan, spent the season working to open their new nail salon, a legitimate front to finally escape the crime world. The finale showed them moving forward with the plan. Season 5 would have explored whether they could truly remain "good" or if Beth’s continued criminal activity would inevitably pull them back in, jeopardizing their fresh start and their family’s safety.

4. Will Dean Boland Stick to the Straight and Narrow?

Dean Boland, Beth’s husband, spent the season struggling with his own moral compass and his role in Beth’s crimes. He was last seen trying to move on, but his connection to Beth and her criminal enterprise is a permanent anchor. A fifth season would have had to address whether Dean would become a true ally, an obstacle, or a liability to Beth’s new empire.

5. Is Nick Really Gone for Good?

Nick, the charismatic and dangerous politician who was Rio’s cousin, was framed for the attempted murder of Beth. While he was arrested, the show established him as a major antagonist with deep connections. It is highly unlikely that he would have stayed behind bars for long, meaning Season 5 would have featured his inevitable return to seek revenge on Beth and Rio.

Where Are the Good Girls Now? The Cast's Biggest Projects in 2025

While the trio’s on-screen story may be over, the careers of the main cast members are thriving. Here is what the key stars are currently working on in late 2025, demonstrating their continued topical authority in the television landscape:

Christina Hendricks (Beth Boland)

The Emmy-nominated actress has moved from suburban crime boss to small-town journalist. Christina Hendricks is starring in the new comedy-drama series, *Small Town, Big Story*. Created by Chris O'Dowd, the series follows an American journalist who returns to a quirky Irish village that is suddenly thrust into the global spotlight. Hendricks plays the lead, Wendy Patterson, in the six-part series, which is available on Sky and BINGE/Sundance Now.

Manny Montana (Rio)

Manny Montana has made the jump from NBC to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, securing a major role that is arguably his biggest post-*Good Girls* project. Montana stars as a character named Hood in the highly anticipated Disney+ series, *Ironheart*. The series, which premiered in June 2025, features him alongside Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos, giving the former crime boss a new, global platform.

Mae Whitman (Annie Marks)

Mae Whitman has embraced the holiday spirit and a new genre. She is headlining the Hallmark Channel limited series, *Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas*, which premiered in December 2025. This project showcases her versatility, moving from the dark comedy of *Good Girls* to a festive, romantic drama. She also previously starred in the Hulu musical comedy *Up Here*.

Retta (Ruby Hill)

Retta has fully embraced her role as a beloved personality on HGTV. She continues to host the popular home renovation competition series, *Ugliest House in America*, which launched its seventh season. Additionally, she hosted the new season of *Scariest House in America*, which premiered in August 2025, solidifying her status as a major figure in reality and lifestyle television.

While the door is technically never fully closed on a streaming revival or a wrap-up movie, the significant time lapse since the 2021 cancellation, combined with the successful new projects of the core cast, makes a *Good Girls* Season 5 increasingly unlikely. The show's legacy now rests on its four seasons of compelling, boundary-pushing television and the enduring popularity of the "Brio" dynamic, which fans will continue to debate for years to come.