Xena, the 'warrior princess' will die in the season finale, reported the Sunday Star Times in New Zealand.

An insider with a copy of the script told the paper that while Xena had been killed off, the fate of Gabrielle, her side-kick, is unknown. Xena, played by New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless was killed by samurai warriors in the final episode that was filmed last week in Auckland.

Studios USA Domestic Television President Steve Rosenberg and Rob Tapert (lawless' husband), the series creator and executive producer, made the announcement last year that the series in production would be the last.

The series shown in 115 countries has a large lesbian following.

Deborah Wood, who runs The Bubbas Guide to Xena: Warrior Princess website said, "The big question seems to be whether or not there will be some unequivocal statement or action regarding outing Xena and Gabrielle as lovers or... whether they ride off into the sunset."

But fans can still hope, as death does not have quite the same finality for Xena as she has died at least twice before in the show.