Although The Librarians star Noah Wyle as Flynn Carsen, there is a good reason that the series star isn’t putting in an appearance on the new series just yet. Noah Wyle played the Librarian in 2004’s Quest for the Spear, 2006’s Return to King Solomon’s Mines, and 2008’s Curse of the Judas Chalice, as well as four seasons of the TNT series running from 2014-2018. Now, the franchise is coming back with a brand new series, although Wyle's original protagonist won't be in the mix.

Speaking to Screenrant's Grant Hermanns, showrunner Dean Devlin reveals how Wyle's involvement in the new show could lead to the actor reprising his on-screen role. As such, viewers might reasonably expect to see Wyle return to the role in the new spinoff The Librarians: The Next Chapter. While The Librarians: The Next Chapter is connected to the original series, it won’t feature Wyle reprising his role any time soon. Still, it's good to know that the door is open for it. Read his full quote below:

“Well, he is a producer on the show, so he's involved, but I think that he's holding out to actually be The Librarian again in either a movie or if we get a chance to revive the original series.”

Why Noah Wyle’s Flynn Carsen Doesn’t Appear In The Librarians: The Next Chapter

The Librarian Star Is A Producer On The New Spinoff Series

According to Devlin’s comments, Wyle could return to playing Flynn Carsen in a future The Librarian movie or a revival of the original show, but he is not coming back for the spinoff The Librarians: The Next Chapter. This makes sense since the spinoff follows a new protagonist, Callum McGowan’s Vikram Chamberlain, as well as ing characters played by Jessica Green and Olivia Morris. Since Noah Wyle is an executive producer, the star of the franchise’s previous installments could technically still appear in the new series.

The Librarians: The Next Chapter was originally scheduled for a 2024 release on The CW, but the series was rescheduled for a May 25, 2025 release on TNT.

However, Devlin’s explanation for the actor’s absence is understandable. The Librarians: The Next Chapter’s new librarian differs from Flynn Carsen. Since Wyle was the heart of the original series, bringing him back could distract viewers from the spinoff show's new cast . Wyle’s absence from the offshoot may be a surprising shift for the franchise, but this noticeable void will be filled by new characters who theoretically have just as much to offer viewers.

Our Take On The Librarians: The Next Chapter Dropping Noah Wyle’s Flynn Carsen

The Librarians Spinoff Is Taking A Major Creative Risk

Since The Librarians: The Next Chapter season 2’s filming has already begun, it is fair to say that TNT is confident in the series. However, it will be hard for the spinoff to replace Flynn Carsen in the hearts of fans. Wyle’s mix of quick wit, charisma, and action heroics will be tough to replicate, meaning The Librarians: The Next Chapter will need to explore fresh characters and storylines to keep viewers invested.

Carsen's absence may also assist the new star in developing an identity of his own, allowing The Librarians: The Next Chapter’s protagonist to eventually emerge from the sizeable shadow left by Wyle’s original The Librarians hero.

Wyle’s legacy will inevitably loom large over the next chapter, as Carsen's story is embedded in the DNA of the series. The star has been a central figure in the franchise for over 20 years, leaving McGowan some big shoes to fill. However, Carsen's absence may also assist the new star in developing an identity of his own, allowing The Librarians: The Next Chapter’s protagonist to eventually emerge from the sizeable shadow left by Wyle’s original The Librarians hero.

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