The coolest gang of thieves, grifters, and con artists (Aldis Hodge, Beth Riesgraf, Christian Kane, Gina Bellman, and Timothy Hutton) are back for a fifth season on Leverage.

Will the TV show continue to bring in ratings that will get it brought back for another year on TNT? As you know, the TV series’ ratings are the best way to tell if Leverage will be cancelled or renewed for a sixth season.

The fifth season of Leverage typically airs Sunday or Tuesday nights. There are only 15 episodes this time (vs 18 last season).

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Final season averages: 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 2.48 million total viewers.

Episode 05-15: Tuesday, 12/25/12
0.7 demo rating (+17% change) with 3.04 million (+36% change).
Season averages: 0.65 in the demo with 2.48 million.

Update: TNT has announced that the series has been cancelled.

Episode 05-14: Tuesday, 12/18/12
0.6 demo rating (+20% change) with 2.23 million (+9% change).
Season averages: 0.65 in the demo with 2.44 million.

Episode 05-13: Tuesday, 12/11/12
0.5 demo rating (0% change) with 2.05 million (-15% change).
Season averages: 0.65 in the demo with 2.46 million.

Update: The season finale of Leverage may serve as the series finale.

Episode 05-12: Tuesday, 12/04/12
0.5 demo rating (0% change) with 2.41 million (+26% change).
Season averages: 0.67 in the demo with 2.49 million.

Episode 05-11: Tuesday, 11/27/12
0.5 demo rating (-29% change) with 1.91 million (-22% change).
Season averages: 0.68 in the demo with 2.50 million.

Update: Leverage is expected to return in the winter with the remaining five episodes.

Episode 05-10: Sunday, 09/16/12
0.7 demo rating (0% change) with 2.45 million (-7% change).
Season averages: 0.70 in the demo with 2.56 million.

Episode 05-09: Sunday, 09/16/12
0.7 demo rating (+17% change) with 2.63 million (+19% change).
Season averages: 0.70 in the demo with 2.57 million.

Episode 05-08: Sunday, 09/09/12
0.6 demo rating (-14% change) with 2.19 million (-7% change).
Season averages: 0.70 in the demo with 2.56 million.

Episode 05-07: Sunday, 09/02/12
0.7 demo rating (-13% change) with 2.35 million (-10% change).
Season averages: 0.71 in the demo with 2.62 million.

Episode 05-06: Sunday, 08/26/12
0.8 demo rating (+14% change) with 2.62 million (+10% change).
Season averages: 0.72 in the demo with 2.66 million.

Episode 05-05: Sunday, 08/19/12
0.7 demo rating (+17% change) with 2.39 million (+3% change).
Season averages: 0.70 in the demo with 2.67 million.

Episode 05-04: Sunday, 08/12/12
0.6 demo rating (-14% change) with 2.32 million (-11% change).
Season averages: 0.70 in the demo with 2.74 million.

Episode 05-03: Sunday, 08/05/12
0.7 demo rating (0% change) with 2.61 million (-1% change).
Season averages: 0.73 in the demo with 2.88 million.

Episode 05-02: Sunday, 07/22/12
0.7 demo rating (-13% change) with 2.63 million (-22% change).
Season averages: 0.75 in the demo with 3.01 million.

Episodes 05-01: Sunday, 07/15/12
0.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 3.39 million total viewers.
Season averages: 0.80 in the demo with 3.39 million.

Reference point: The fourth season of Leverage averaged a 0.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 2.76 million total viewers. It was renewed in August 2011 after six episodes had aired.

Cable ratings are typically released within a day or so of the show’s airing, except for in the case of weekends and holidays. They are sometimes harder to come by so there may be occasional delays or gaps.

What do you think? Do you like the Leverage TV series? Do you think that it should be cancelled or renewed for season six?