The Fate of 'Bones': Showrunner 'Confident' in Renewal Despite Emily Deschanel's Pregnancy

A few weeks ago when "Bones" star Emily Deschanel announced her pregnancy, we found ourselves wondering about the fate of one of the most popular procedural shows on TV. If Deschanel is set to be quite pregnant at the end of the year, how will that affect the "Bones" shooting schedule? Will there even be a season seven, or are these remaining episodes the last?

Hart Hanson, the showrunner for "Bones," said that he is "confident" that the show will be renewed, adding that it could be announced "anywhere between now and May 15th."

However, he also noted that if "Bones" is renewed, it could be cut short. The show would have a few options on the table: shoot 16 or 18 episodes, cramming them all into the schedule before Deschanel becomes unable to work, or attempt to shoot the full 22 episodes but cut Deschanel out of the last four to six eps?

That second option could be interesting, as it presents an opportunity to put Deschanel's character in some sort of jeopardy, with David Boreanaz left to figure things out and find her. Then again, Deschanel is adored by "Bones" fans, so taking her out of the show could cause people to lose interest.

The deal that is struck if the show is renewed should include information on how many episodes to expect, so we'll keep you posted if the two sides reach an agreement.