Sleepy Hollow's getting a greenlight for a fourth season might very well rest on the shoulders of Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) who apparently died in the mid-season finale last year. Abbie's return, her growing romance with Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), and what her absence (or return) could to the Mills' family reunion just might serve enough intrigue for the fans to keep watching until the end of the third season.
As per Christian Today's summary recap of the finale, Abbie gave her life to prevent the energy of the evil Anubis from possessing her totally. Once the spirit gains total control of her body, mind, and spirit, Abbie could have wreaked total devastation on the town, Sleepy Hollow, and the two people she loves most: Ichabod Crane, her business-associate-turned-possible-lover, and beloved sister Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood). Abbie rushed to the portal to destroy the orb of Anubis. In the attempt, she could have died, too.
Showrunner Cifton Campbell gave hopes though to fans who know better than to see their favorite characters die. He teases that the show would not work as successfully without the sparkling chemistry between Ichabod and Abbie. Abbie would also be very difficult to replace.
In a related article in Ecumenical News, Clinton adds that the mid-season return will open months after Abbie's death. Both Ichabod and Jenny are grieving over Abbie whose fate seems to be uncertain. Adding to Jenny's anxiety is the arrival of their estranged father Eric (Jameh McDaniel). The Mills' family reunion is another plot development that the fans want to see resolved, which would be dificult to do it without Abby around.
Abbie's final fate just might keep fans watching and garner enough ratings to get "Sleepy Hollow" renewed for a fourth season. Master Herald reports that though the show's debut ratings three years ago was a hit, viewership declined throughout the first two seasons, with ratings now below 40 percent. The show's time slot has been moved twice, perhaps in an attempt to boost the sagging numbers.
