It's been an astonishing two decades since one of the most iconic medical dramas, House M.D., made its debut. This series, centered around the grumpy doctor House who detested most but could diagnose ailments with ease, starred Hugh Laurie in the lead role and became a massive sensation during its eight seasons. In the finale, House and his best friend set off into the sunset, leaving viewers with a lingering question - what happened next?

Creator's Perspective on the 20th Anniversary

David Shore, the mastermind behind House M.D., recently engaged in a conversation with EW about this momentous 20th anniversary. A popular fan theory suggests that House didn't actually make it through the final episode. Shore clarifies that this wasn't his intention, yet he also explains that he refrains from providing a definite answer because he doesn't want to shatter the fan theories. He said, "I don't want to limit myself. Every now and then, the thought of exploring this does cross my mind, and I'd need to figure out how. Moreover, I love the idea that others are also pondering this. I don't want to tell them, 'No, he's doing something else.' He's out there, being House-like, and that 'House-like' has become a bit of a catchphrase."

The Final Episode's Cliffhanger

The final episode of House presents a heart-stopping scene where the title character gets trapped in a building fire, initially leading viewers to believe he perished in the flames. Later, it is revealed that House faked his death and rode off into the sunset with his best friend, Dr. Wilson, played by the brilliant Robert Sean Leonard. However, a fan theory emerges suggesting that Wilson, who was battling brain cancer and had limited time left, hallucinated House's survival and that his friend actually died in the fire. Even Shore admits that there's nothing in the episode to explicitly disprove this interpretation.

The Possibility of a Follow-Up

Although David Shore doesn't currently have an answer to what happened to House after the series ended, he hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of coming up with one through a follow-up. We've witnessed many popular shows getting sequel series long after their original run, and while Shore is hesitant about doing the same with House, he's concerned about spoiling the legacy of the original. He continued, "It's not that I'd say no, but these things are incredibly challenging. You don't want to ruin anything. Just like Hugh said at the time, Dr. House is the kind of person who leaves the party early rather than staying late. People wonder, 'Where did House go?' rather than, 'Why is House still here?' You don't want to taint your legacy. But at the same time, we had a great time with it, and I can see the potential for more fun. However, it would require the right story, a truly excellent one that we're all satisfied with, and the schedules would have to align, which is the more difficult part."

The Legacy of House M.D.

As a die-hard fan of House M.D., I'm torn about the idea of more House. I adored the show and, of course, I'd love to have more of what I loved. At the same time, it's hard to envision it recapturing the magic of the original. Maybe leaving it as it is is the best approach. The show is currently available on several of the top streaming services, such as Hulu, Peacock, and Prime Video. So, if fans want to relive the House experience, they can easily go back and enjoy all the future stars who graced the show at any time they desire.