Network: Showtime
Episodes: 82 (hour)
Seasons: Seven

TV show dates: June 30, 2013 — January 19, 2020
Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight, Paula Malcomson, Kerris Dorsey, Devon Bagby, Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok, Pooch Hall, Elliot Gould, Steven Bauer, and Katherine Moennig.

TV show description:      
This TV show is set in the sprawling mecca of the rich, famous, and powerful players in Los Angeles. Ray Donovan is their go-to guy when they need their problems to disappear. It’s not an easy job but things get more difficult when his father is unexpectedly released from prison.

Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber) is a man of many faces. He’s a cool, sophisticated Hollywood player but also a ruthless south Boston thug. He’s a devoted family man who has trouble resisting come-ons from attractive clients, and a consummate professional who is also easily pushed to violence. His job as a problem fixer for the Hollywood elite has helped lift him out of the working class and to within reach of the truly wealthy and powerful. But no amount of designer suits, sports cars or gold watches can completely mask his dark line of work or his humble roots. With his troubled brothers always calling, and his criminal father fresh out of prison, Ray might be unable to truly shake his past.

Ray’s father, Mickey (Jon Voight), has been released from prison after a 20-year stint and arrives in LA to get what he feels is his rightful due. A murderous low life, Mickey is nevertheless charismatic and charming. Ray’s brothers fall right back under their father’s spell, and his wife and children take an instant shine to the grandfather they’ve never known. Mickey’s desire to reunite with his family and settle some old (but hardly forgotten) scores threatens to destroy everything Ray has built for himself.

Ray’s wife Abby (Paula Malcomson) enjoys the spoils of Ray’s success in LA and strives to climb even higher. She desperately wants to get out of the Valley and into the neighborhoods, parties, and schools of the true Hollywood elite. Abby has grown weary of turning a blind eye to Ray’s philandering and the unusual demands of his job. Neither Abby nor her kids has ever met Ray’s father, Mickey. When he arrives in town, she is anxious to get to know him, much to Ray’s distress.

Abby and Ray’s teenage children are Bridget (Kerris Dorsey) and Conor (Devon Bagby) and they’ve been kept in the dark about Ray’s family. Both are eager to learn more about them and to also meet their grandfather. She takes up with a neighbor boy, the foster child of a famous rap star who becomes one of Ray’s clients. Mickey immediately develops a soft spot for Conor and tries to advise his grandson based on his own skewed ways of the world.

Ray’s brother Terry (Eddie Marsan) is a former boxer who has developed Parkinson’s disease from taking too many blows to the head. His condition has left him despondent and shy, and therefore extremely awkward around women. He owns a boxing gym in LA where Ray’s father and brothers hang out. Ray tries to avoid the place as much as he can.

Bunchy Donovan (Dash Mihok) is the most troubled of the Donovan brothers. He was molested as a child by his local priest, and has battled with psychological and addiction issues his whole adult life. He’s also the most vulnerable of the brothers and is dangerously susceptible to Mickey’s charms.

Mickey’s illegitimate son from an affair is Daryll (Pooch Hall). The Donovans have only recently learned of his existence and, aside from Ray, are embracing and welcoming him to the family. Mickey uses him to do some of his dirty work, which gets Daryll into immediate trouble.

Ezra Goldman (Elliot Gould) is an old friend of Ray’s, a frequent collaborator, and client. He is distraught over the recent passing of his beloved wife, and seems to be deteriorating mentally. Ezra is alarmed over the arrival of Ray’s father as he would prefer their past remained a secret.

Avi (Steven Bauer) is Ray’s right-hand man and the principle “muscle” of his operation. He’s a tough Israeli who’s one of the very few capable of reasoning with his boss. He handles surveillance and clean up and is fiercely loyal to Ray — even when he doesn’t always agree with his tactics.

Lena (Katherine Moennig) handles Ray’s office and research for his operation. She’s a no-nonsense lesbian who’s both sexy and tough and is also an asset to Ray both in and out of the office.

What do you think? Do you like the Ray Donovan TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for an eighth season?