Ray Donovan has fixed his last mistake. Showtime canceled the series after the end of season seven recently, and the news was a shock to all those involved with the series, including the man running things behind the scenes. David Hollander revealed that he thought the series would end with season eight. The writers were working towards that conclusion, and Showtime was aware of that plan when Hollander began writing during season seven.
Hollander said the following about Showtime ending Ray Donovan, per Vulture:
“We’re still scratching our heads. We had no indicator that the show was ending. We were behaving creatively as though we were in mid-sentence. And so, there was no sense that this was going to be a completion. This was in no way a series finale.”
Hollander and his staff already had season eight in mind, and that season was going to end things on a note where the fans would have closure. Season seven did not do that. The fans are left with cliffhangers across the board. Season six’s finale would have closed the series out on a much better note.
Hollander revealed the following about the plot of season eight:
“The pivot we had been making narratively was to move the backstory into the present and run it concurrently. So there were actually two stories to be told: What happened then, really, and how will that impact what happens now? The next step was what happened with Ray and Mickey in the ‘90s, which would have been the creation of Ray Donovan as a character and as a fixer. That’s why we went into such detail to find the right cast.
That [flashback] story was a helpful pivot, at least for me creatively. I felt really good about it. And so, that story was going to run directly against the idea of Ray and Mickey now.”
Could the series return to close things out? Hollander did not count that out, but it would be easier to do sooner rather than later. The sets are still in place, and the cast could be called back in.
Hollander did have this message for the fans:
Thank you, first and foremost. A huge, huge thank you. All we can do is hope that we have an audience that cares. The gratitude is really meaningful to those of us who are feeling a little bit lost by what’s happened.
The other thing that I feel is a bit apologetic. I’m proud of the work that we all did. I’m proud of the way that this year ended. It was powerful and well-acted and they achieved what I hoped they would. However, this wasn’t meant to be [the ending]. You could spin it one way and say that it’s hard to satisfy an audience with a finale, not that I didn’t want to try. I always want the opportunity to try. I just wish I had.”
What do you think? Do you want to see Ray Donovan closed out in a way that ties up the loose ends left by season seven? Or, was it time to end the series?
Ray Donovan was Showtime’s finest series.I am very disappointed by the cancellation.I want an 8th season or another vehicle that concludes the story.
Ray Donovan was Showtime’s finest series.I want to see an eighth season or some other vehicle that concludes the story. I am very disappointed.
I’m HEARTBROKEN to hear this. I watch very little TV, only the series I think are so good to be worth my time. RAY is one of them. I need more time to process this information – it’s just too much of a shock! So PLEASE give me some peace and an opportunity for closure to this important time in my life with a SEASON 8 ending! In my opinion, the ONLY acceptable reasons to cancel at all would be if Liev or Jon personally chose not to continue for some reason, or if there are not enough of us… Read more »
We fans are outraged to be left hanging in the best show that has ever aired on Showtime. Give us the Ending we deserve. Give Ray the peace he deserves. Give us Season 8!!!!!
You said it!
Please find a way to give us Season 8 or at least a mini season to bring us closure on this family drama.
Typical
I cannot believe it has been cancelled at this point. There should be a final season to put closure to all the story lines in play…all of us loyal fans deserve this, as well as the cast. It’s like we put seven years into this show and now we get no ending. The writers have been incredible!!!
We need a season 8 of Ray to tie everything up. Great show and fantastic cast, perfection of what acting is about!
I have to say I’m very disappointed in this turn if events. I heard that Ray Donovan had over 5 million viewers, domestic and more worldwide. So, why is Showtime treating us this way? Frankly, the ONLY reason I have subscribed to Showtime at all is for Ray Donovan. There just is not another show on tv anywhere like it. Showtime – you cancelled Ray – I cancelled YOU!
I canceled my subscription too
I am very disappointed, I was looking forward to a season finale but I am left with sour taste in my mouth. Please we need closure on the series. Ray Donovan and the viewers deserve better. Thank you.
The cast and the viewers deserve the closure of a proper final season. Showtime, please come to your senses!
So disappointing for a die hard fan. Come on, Showtime, bring us closure
I am sure there are many fans like me. I watch all the premium channels big series and every year Ray Donovan is my favorite. She’s an eight and closure must be done.
You must do season 8
Absolutely showtime should wrap it up with another season and an ending! We deserve that after following it for 7 years. I will never get interested in another episodic program from Showtime if they don’t give us a ending. I wouldn’t want to spend that amount of time getting involved Knowing it could happen again! Please pass this along to showtime!!!
Exactly. Why waste time watching tv at all anymore? It makes you just want to boycott tv all together.