'A Million Little Things' Fans Worry Gary Might Not Live to Meet His Baby

On May 13, 2022, ABC announced its decision to green-light Season 5 of A Million Little Things, D.J. Nash's hit drama series offering a glimpse into the life of Eddie Saville (David Giuntoli), Maggie Bloom (Allison Miller), Gary Mendez (James Roday Rodriguez), and their loved ones. But which actors will be back for the final season? Is James, the actor playing Gary, leaving the show before the finale?

In Season 4 of A Million Little Things, Gary went to the hospital to get a lump in his breast checked. The tests came back clear — but a malignant lump was found in his lung. He soon began chemotherapy. While Maggie seems to know about the condition, Gary's friends are — or were, until the Season 4 finale — in the dark.

The creator of A Million Little Things, DJ Nash, teased in an interview that Gary's storyline continues well into Season 5. James Roday Rodriguez may choose to leave the show before the Season 5 finale, which is also the series finale. But there's no way of knowing at this stage.

Gary and Maggie started trying for a baby in Season 4 of A Million Little Things, having decided to give the relationship another shot after exchanging a kiss at Maggie's 30th birthday party.

Maggie's mom stepped in at the last minute to accompany Maggie to an IVF appointment after Gary came down with a mysterious illness. There, Maggie discovered that one of the eggs made it. But the Season 4 finale threw a series of major hurdles the couple's way.

Maggie abruptly started to bleed in the Season 4 finale. But Maggie called Dr. Ashley Anderson, who broke the big news: Maggie is absolutely and 100 percent pregnant.

A bigger problem continued to loom over the characters' heads, though. Rome (Romany Malco) accidentally stumbled upon a series of messages Gary recorded for his unborn child in case he doesn't make it.

As such, Rome was in a pickle. He had to choose between approaching Gary, spilling his secret to the whole group, or keeping quiet until he learns more.

Elsewhere, Gary continued to marshal on, knowing he has cancer while Maggie officially began her journey as a pregnant woman. Season 5 of A Million Little Things is bound to delve deeper into these conflicts and put its characters through the wringer.

DJ Nash, the co-showrunner of A Million Little Things, shared a few details about what's to come for each character in Season 5 with Deadline. He said, "We knew we always wanted Gary’s cancer to return. And we knew we wanted it to be right after Rome’s depression returned. Both of these friends have diseases that are recurring and challenge their futures."

"We love the idea of Maggie being there for Gary the way he was there for her. For all the good and the bad," DJ continued. "And we are excited to see how these two will be there for each other as they welcome a baby into the world, doing everything they can to live life on their terms, for as long as they can."

"Rome and Regina have stumbled on huge information they’re not supposed to know. Information Gary doesn’t want them to know. They’re in a real dilemma," he said. "We are going to watch this group of friends be there for the person who has been there for everyone. The same person who finds it so hard to ask for help. And we’re going to see Maggie pregnant, hoping she can have the father of her child meet their baby. I won’t say what happens. But hopefully, it will feel as real as life."

Catch new episodes of A Million Little Things Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC.