SDCC: The Man in the High Castle confirms final season release date, shows opening scene, more

The final season of Amazon Prime's The Man in the High Castle is upon us. Based on the 1962 novel by Phillip K. Dick, it tells the story of a world where the Axis powers won World War II. Or did they? The show brings in the concept of a multiverse, and as the Axis try their best to harness the capability to traverse through it, there is a resistance trying to stop them.

Season three left us with many unanswered questions. It is revealed by Hawthorne Abendsen (Stephen Root) that someone can only travel to another world when a counterpart has died, so they can "fill a void." As Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos)  begins to cross over, John Smith (Rufus Sewell) shoots her. She disappears, and her fate is still unknown, until now. Here is a brand new clip, the opening scene of season four.

Some insight into this and more occurred during Saturday's panel at SDCC. Appearing were Executive Producers Isa Dick Hackett, Daniel Percival, and David Sarpa. Joining them were Sewell, Joe de La Fuente (Takeshi Kido), Jason O'Mara (Wyatt Price/Liam), Chelah Horsdal (Helen Smith), and Frances Connor. Deadline's Dominic Patten moderated the panel.

Rufus Sewell discussed how great the timing was for that opening scene. "I appreciate it's taken so long to see who we would have been in the alternate world," he said. "Smith has been thinking about the concept of other versions of himself; it's cool to see it finally."

A second clip played of the Smiths that we know, which shows just how strained his and Helen's (Chelah Horsdal) relationship has become following the death of Thomas. "They were as happy a couple as can be in season one," Horsdal said. "We've now seen them falling into this chasm because of their conflicting agendas." Sewell added, "We've teased the effect of their choices as a couple throughout the series, and it's not something you've seen before [between the two]. 

Another clip played of Liam (Jason O'Mara) losing a battle in Denver with the resistance, and O'Mara discussed how Liam must pick up the pieces in season four to become the face of the Resistance. "[Liam] must try to find a reason to fight again. He must try to find a way to fight an unseemingly unbeatable enemy."

A third clip introduced Liam to Belle, a new character played by Frances Turner. "Belle was born and raised in the segregated south. When the Axis won, she and her family moved into labor camps. She was able to escape to the Neutral Zone and eventually set herself up in the JPS. She joins a group called the Black Communist Rebellion." From the clip, it looks like Liam has found a new ally in Belle.

The conversation moved to how the series reflects current events. Isa Dick Hackett said her father would be grateful it came out today. "He would think that now would be the best time to have the series come out," she said. David Scarpa added, "Shows are usually ripped from the headlines, but as time goes on, it seems as if the headlines are starting to follow along with the show. We've embraced the extent with how it resonates with today."

Season four is the final season of The Man in the High Castle. When asked if he was satisfied with the ending, Daniel Percival said, "The short answer is yes," he said. "It has a very epic end. We are all very proud of what we achieved.

The fourth and final season of The Man in the High Castle premieres on Amazon Prime November 15th.

Click here for SYFY WIRE's full coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2019, including up-to-the-minute news, exclusive interviews, and videos.