Donald Glover Speaks on Decision to End ‘Atlanta’ With Season 4: ‘Death Is Natural’

FX confirmed Thursday that Atlanta will come to an end after its fourth season. 

Donald Glover spoke at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour and explained why he was satisfied with the decision, per Variety. 

“Death is natural,” Glover said. “I feel like when the conditions are right for something, they happen, and when the conditions aren’t right, they don’t happen. I don’t feel any longevity. Because then things start to get weird.”

”The story was always supposed to be what it was. And the story, it really was us,” he continued. “Everybody in that writers’ room, everybody on set. It really was what we were going through and what we talked about. … I think it ends perfectly.”

Even though he inked a reported eight-figure deal with Amazon Studios last year, Glover’s contract reportedly allows for him to return to Atlanta, if he chooses. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of exercising that option down the road. “If there’s a reason to do it, of course. Like a Christmas special,” Glover joked. “It always depends. I like keeping my options open.”  

Anyone who has followed Glover’s TV career shouldn’t be shocked to hear that he has chosen to end Atlanta after Season 4. What seems more in his thinking is that Glover originally wanted to call it quits on the ground-breaking series after just two seasons. He left his writers’ room gig at the comedy series 30 Rock after three seasons to pursue his own acting opportunities. He infamously departed from Community in its fifth season to dedicate himself to his music.

What has become a recurring theme in Glover’s career is that there always seems to be trick up his sleeve when he’s decided to leave. Shortly after departing 30 Rock, it was revealed that he landed his first major role as Troy Barnes in Community. His exit from Community led to Atlanta, which he starred in and created.