“The Umbrella Academy” has captivated audiences over three seasons on Netflix, becoming a signature show for the streaming platform. However, like many successful series, its journey has concluded with its fourth and final season. This last installment wraps up the intricate narrative of the Hargreeves siblings, a family of superpowered individuals, delivering the unexpected twists and turns that have become a hallmark of this mind-bending series.
Following a dramatic season three finale that left the characters in a drastically altered timeline where they were stripped of their powers, season four offered only six episodes, a reduction from the ten episodes of previous seasons, to resolve their predicament. Creator and showrunner Steve Blackman skillfully utilized these episodes to weave together a tapestry of bizarre events and meaningful character arcs, culminating in the restoration of their powers and a final, unified battle.
For fans seeking a comprehensive overview of this concluding chapter, this guide provides everything you need to know about “The Umbrella Academy” season 4 on Netflix. Here you’ll find an episode guide to navigate each installment, details on the returning and new cast members, a glimpse into the season’s plot, and a breakdown of how it all ends.
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Episode Guide
Season 4 of “The Umbrella Academy” premiered on Netflix on August 8, 2024, with all six episodes released simultaneously. This arrival came more than two years after season three, a considerable wait for dedicated viewers eager to see the Hargreeves’ story reach its resolution. Patience has become a familiar virtue for “Umbrella Academy” enthusiasts, as the gap between seasons two and three was also two years.
Now that some time has passed since the final season’s debut, many viewers are revisiting the series or discovering it for the first time. For those looking for an easy way to track their viewing or simply understand the episode order, here is a complete episode guide for “The Umbrella Academy” season 4:
- Episode 1: “The Unbearable Tragedy of Getting What You Want” – Thursday, August 8
- Episode 2: “Jean and Gene” – Thursday, August 8
- Episode 3: “The Squid and the Girl” – Thursday, August 8
- Episode 4: “The Cleanse” – Thursday, August 8
- Episode 5: “Six Years, Five Months, and Two Days” – Thursday, August 8
- Episode 6: “End of the Beginning” – Thursday, August 8
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Cast
(Image credit: Netflix)
Netflix’s official press materials highlight the cast for the fourth season, featuring nine familiar faces reprising their roles as the superpowered Hargreeves family members. Season 4 also welcomed several notable additions to the ensemble.
The introduction of Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, and David Cross brought fresh comedic energy to the season, even amidst the ever-present threat of apocalypse. Their performances added a lighter touch to the narrative, balancing the high stakes with moments of levity.
Here is the full cast list for “The Umbrella Academy” season 4:
- Elliot Page as Viktor Hargreeves aka Number Seven: Possesses the power to manipulate sound waves into physical force.
- Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves aka Number One: Exhibits superhuman strength and has returned to a human form after a period with a gorilla-like upper body.
- David Castañeda as Diego Hargreeves aka Number Two: Demonstrates telekinesis, specifically the ability to alter the trajectory of projectiles.
- Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison Hargreeves aka Number Three: Can control minds through suggestion, a power that intensifies with her anger, even without using specific phrases.
- Robert Sheehan as Klaus Hargreeves aka Number Four: Communicates with the deceased, can briefly resurrect them, and possesses the ability to resurrect himself after death.
- Aidan Gallagher as Number Five: Capable of time and space jumps, interacting with the team across various points in their lives.
- Justin H. Min as Ben Hargreeves aka Number Six: Unleashes powerful tentacles from his body and tragically died in one timeline during an early mission.
- Colm Feore as Sir Reginald Hargreeves: The enigmatic billionaire industrialist who adopted the Hargreeves siblings and shaped their destinies.
- Ritu Arya as Lila Pitts: The adopted daughter of The Handler and Diego’s girlfriend, gifted with the ability to mimic the superpowers of others.
- Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally as Gene and Jean Thibedeau: Community college professors plagued by intense deja vu.
- David Cross as Sy Grossman: A mild-mannered and ethical business owner and family man.
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Trailer
The Umbrella Academy | Final Season | Official Teaser Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
The teaser trailer for “The Umbrella Academy” season 4, set to Europe’s iconic “The Final Countdown,” offered a glimpse of the team back in action in the new timeline. This trailer suggested a return to form for the series, showcasing the Hargreeves embarking on a mysterious rescue mission and engaging in large-scale action sequences. Sir Reginald Hargreeves’ narration, introducing the team, opened the teaser, setting a tone of finality.
The trailer confirmed the siblings’ return, hinting that at least some of their powers remained. It was packed with the show’s signature blend of action, including explosions and fight choreography, alongside quirky elements like a machine gun-wielding Santa Claus. The familiar dynamic of snark and support amongst the Hargreeves was also prominent, as they geared up for what appeared to be their ultimate mission.
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 Plot
Showrunner Steve Blackman provided insights into the new timeline and the characters’ circumstances to Total Film. He revealed, “We’ll explain Hargreeves’ motivations; we’ll figure out a way to make them superheroes again, and this apocalypse is different.” He emphasized the season’s focus on answering lingering questions and presenting a unique apocalyptic threat. “They don’t know straight away what they’re up against; the fans will be pleased as a lot of questions will be answered this year.”
Justin H. Min, in an interview with Collider, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the season’s definitive conclusion. “There are a lot of questions that have been brewing throughout the seasons of the show, and I do think they really do get answered in this final season. I think there’s a real sense of closure, so I’m excited for the fans who’ve been waiting for certain answers to get those,” Min stated.
While “The Umbrella Academy” draws inspiration from Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s comic book series, the show has surpassed the comic’s storyline, even incorporating future comic book arcs in season three. The conclusion of season three gave Blackman and his writing team creative freedom, setting the stage for a reset timeline and allowing the characters to embark on new, separate paths before converging for their final chapter.
‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4: How Did It End?
(Image credit: Netflix)
For those seeking a quick recap of the finale, here’s a summary of the ending. Be warned that spoilers follow, so proceed only if you’ve finished watching “The Umbrella Academy” season 4 or don’t mind knowing the conclusion.
The series finale culminates in a dramatic showdown. The siblings confront yet another world-ending scenario, this time triggered by a catastrophic event known as “The Cleanse.” Reginald’s plans to reunite Ben and Jennifer inadvertently set this apocalypse in motion, despite his attempts to prevent it.
As The Cleanse threatens to engulf everything, the Umbrella Academy discovers the only way to break the cycle of perpetual apocalypses is to allow themselves to be erased by The Cleanse. This ultimate sacrifice means ceasing to exist, permanently removing them from all timelines.
The Hargreeves siblings – Luther, Klaus, Diego, Viktor, Allison, Five, and Lila – reluctantly accept their fate and allow The Cleanse to consume them. This act effectively resets reality, seemingly saving the world.
However, a post-credits scene offers a glimmer of hope. It depicts a perfect world mirroring a vision Ben had shared with Viktor, featuring eight blooming marigolds around a tree. This enigmatic scene subtly hints at the potential rebirth of superpowered individuals, leaving fans to ponder the ultimate fate of the Umbrella Academy and the possibility of a future beyond the “End of the Beginning.”
