‘Homeland’ Season 2 Alternate Ending: Carrie and Brody on the Run?

For all the twists and turns of 'Homeland''s first two seasons on Showtime, fans well understand that the Emmy-winning terrorism thriller might have taken some very different paths along the way. Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) had originally been slated for the chopping block in season 1, but did you know the 'Homeland' writers intended very different fates for both Carrie (Claire Danes) and Brody by season 2 finale "The Choice"?

For one, it seems Showtime again stayed the executioner's hand in sparing Brody's life for season 2, as showrunner Alex Gansa had originally plotted in the first season, as well. “We had sketched out this plan in the early parts of season two which called for Brody’s demise, which may have been premature, and they asked us to reconsider,” said executive producer Howard Gordon to TCA press reporters. Gordon later described the decision as “the happy accident of having very good partners.”

Perhaps even more shocking, season 2 may well have ended with Carrie deciding to follow Brody out on the run by crossing the border herself, and abandoning the CIA before season 3. Current 'The Bridge' helm Meredith Steihm revealed that the writers all wanted Carrie to flee the country in the first draft but ultimately decided it would be more in character for her to stay and carry out her mission with the CIA.

Meanwhile, ‘Homeland’ season 3 picks up during the aftermath of the terror attack that decimated the US intelligence apparatus and prompted a global manhunt for the world’s most wanted terrorist, Nick Brody. As Carrie and Saul begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered professional and personal lives, they will be swept up in the political and media firestorm surrounding the terror attack and the subsequent search for Brody.

Along with the recent additions of ‘Iron Man‘ star Shaun Toub, Martin Donovan, Tracy Letts, Joanna Merlin, Nazanin Boniadi, Amy Morton, Lawrence Clayton, Sam Underwood, Gary Wilmes and ‘Game of Thrones‘ season 4 star Pedro Pascal, season 3 of ‘Homeland’ will see David Marciano (Virgil) and Diego Klattenhoff (Mike) stepping down as series regulars to take reduced roles, while Morena Baccarin will reprise her series regular role as Jessica Brody, in spite of her husband’s absence.

Well, what say you? Should 'Homeland' season 2 have carried on with either of its more drastic outcomes? Will Brody finally bite the bullet in season 3? Watch the latest 'Homeland' season 3 trailer below, and give us your predictions for the September 29 premiere "Tin Man is Down" in the comments!