When it comes to TV series as acclaimed and successful asMad Men, the reboot question is inevitable, but Jon Hamm is adamant that it should not happen for the prestige drama. Running from 2007 to 2015 on AMC, the series centering on the enigmatic 1960s ad man Don Draper (Hamm) was riveting from start to finish. Series finales are notoriously difficult to pull off, butMad Men’s endingis one of the most acclaimed in TV history.
But no matter how perfect an ending, as fans of these series, we often want more of our favorite characters and TV universes. For example, fellow AMC showBreaking Badhas continued to add to its timelinewith sequel movieEl Caminoand prequel spinoffBetter Call Saul. WithMad Menbeing full of such rich characters and so centered on the changing times, it seems rife for reboot possibilities. But Hamm lays out a very good reason why that absolutely should not happen.
Hamm Has Said There Is “No Story To Tell”
In 2024, Jon Hamm participated inTHR’s Drama Actor Roundtable, where he was directly asked what he would say if he was approached to do moreMad Men. The Don Draper actor’s response was extremely concise and definitive:
“Part of it is that there’s no story to tell. We ran out of story. Obviously, you never say never. But [the way we ended the series] felt satisfying to me. And I think it was very satisfying to the audience as well.I’m happy with the way that [the show] lives in my life, and I would love it to stay there.”
Hamm is clearly happy with the work he and theincredibleMad Mencastaccomplished, and feels like his work here is done. He’s alsocorrect that the story is… over. Every major character got a fitting arc, and it doesn’t leave much room for future stories. However, Hamm’s co-star Elisabeth Moss had a different take. Similar to Hamm, she is also proud of what she accomplished, which is precisely whyMoss said she would return for moreMad Menif asked. OnWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen!, Moss said:
I would never say, ‘No,’ to anything like that. I’m not one of those people that’s like, “I want to move on and do….” Mad Men is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done and will ever do. I would be super happy to play that character again. I loved playing her.
The Final Season Wrapped Up Key Character Arcs
Whether the viewer reads Don’s zen ending as a lesson in integration or a cynical commentary on how the copywriting industry leverages the cultural zeitgeist,he hasfound a true way forward with his life either way. After he has relentlessly“moved forward”throughout the show, leaving destruction in his wake, by the end, he has grappled with his past and faced up to his mistakes and underlying loneliness.
His final scene is perfect precisely because it is imperfect…
His final scene is perfect precisely because it is imperfect — Draper has learned a profound spiritual lesson only to use it for an ad, creating a necessarily frustrating contradiction that is key to his character within the cultural context. To move forward in a reboot would answer questions that should not necessarily be addressed. Where Don goes from there should be a mystery to the viewer.
The forward thinking by season 7 is more about the next generation, like Don’s and Roger’s children. For instance, Sally states that she is nothing like Betty or Don, but Don tells her she will learn otherwise. Don’s generation finds their respective endings — Betty tragically passes, with her evolution as a mother movingly expressed in her letter to Sally. Joan is a one-woman show that would be an amazing spinoff, but the viewer is arguably best left simply knowing she has finally come into her own, along with Peggy. Pete and Trudy reconciled and got their happy ending.
There’s reallyno reason for aMad Menreboot, and the existence of one would just be pure fan service. This is especially ironic, because the show’s viewership would likely not want the show’s legacy to be tarnished with a reboot.Mad Mencreator Matthew Weiner has historically not seemed keen on sequels or reboots, so it seems there is no reason to be concerned. Historically, he has genuinely cared about the integrity of the show as a whole.
In a 2015Fast Companyinterview, he discussed his unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity and realism of the series throughout its seven-season run. The commercial benefits of a reboot would only be another trapping. His consistent resistance to celebrity cameos, his dedication to staying with the show instead of pursuing other projects, his insistence on auditions for everyone, and his overarching philosophy that"the show always wins"all point to a creator fiercely protective ofMad Men.
