Boston Legal: David Kelly Ending Series on His Own Terms

In May, it seemed like Boston Legal creator David E. Kelley had to fight to get his show renewed for 13 final episodes. Now it appears that the decision was a mutual one.

Speaking about Boston Legal’s last minute renewal, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson recently said, “We really felt like [Boston Legal] didn’t get its due on its way out this year and the opportunity to give it really a final 13, [David] was really excited about it. He committed to writing those, which, for us, was really important because he’s kind of transitioned his life a little bit. So it’s great to have the show back.”

As for the shortened season, McPherson says that was Kelley’s choice. “David felt like he had 13 episodes left in him. He really wanted to end it. He really wanted to do some things with our two core characters. It was really his decision.”

McPherson feels good about being able to set an end date for shows like Lost and Boston Legal, saying, “I really like being able to know when shows are going out… Let’s let these creators who have created unbelievably compelling characters and iconic pieces of television, let’s let them end it with dignity and integrity and, to me, compelling content. And we can market it as such. For us, it’s an advantage. We really appreciate David signing up and getting excited about these final 13. We’re talking about how to really sell them as the kind of final crescendo for what for us has been a terrific series.”

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The cast and crew have reportedly finished three episodes thus far with 10 left to go. Brenda Strong, best known as Desperate Housewives’ Mary Alice, is among the guest stars in the final episodes. She’s playing a tough but sexy judge.

Talking about filming the final season, series star William Shatner told the Vancouver Sun, “We’ve had a great time. It’s a great cast, you know. James Spader, Candice Bergen, John Larroquette… they’re not only great actors, but they are themselves wonderful human beings and I’m going to miss them terribly.” He continued, “I’m beginning already to have a sense of nostalgia… not doing a balcony scene every now and then will be bittersweet.”

How things will end for the staff of Crane, Poole and Schmidt is still under wraps but it sounds like the final episodes will be “must see TV” for sure. Stay tuned!