TNT has announced that their Holly Hunter drama is coming to an end. Interestingly, it wasn’t exactly the network’s decision. But, regardless of who’s responsible, the fans will have to wait quite awhile to see the story wrap up.
Saving Grace focuses on a police detective, Grace Hanadarko (Holly Humter), wo’s great at her job but finds her personal life far more challenging. The series also features Leon Rippy, Kenny Johnson, Bailey Chase, Laura San Giacomo, Gregory Cruz, Lorraine Toussaint, Dylan Minnette, Bokeem Woodbine, Mark L. Taylor, and Tom Irwin.
The show debuted in July 2007 and attracted 6.4 million viewers, making it the highest-rated cable premiere so far that year.
Season two’s debut attracted 5.2 million and, this past June, season three’s return drew just 3.5 million. TNT remained very positive about the series, likely because it consistently rates first with adults 25-54.
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Last season, the network ordered a second season of 15 episodes. The first nine aired during the Summer of 2008 and the other six began running last March. TNT ordered the same number for season three and the first grouping finishes its summer cycle this Tuesday.
According to THR, TNT wanted to pick the series up for a fourth season but Fox TV Studios actually declined the offer. The drama is an expensive one to produce and there’s apparently not enough profit in the cable deal for the studio to continue.
A spokesperson for Fox told Variety, “In today’s rapidly changing television world, shows need to drive revenue off too many sources in order to be profitable for all the partners. Unfortunately, the economics of the series mandated stronger international and ancillary revenue than the show was able to generate. We thought an appropriate ending after three extremely successful seasons was the best outcome for all parties involved.”
Since the series has several ongoing storylines, Fox and TNT agreed to produce three additional episodes to wrap up any loose ends. The network will combine them with the remaining installments from this season and hold them until next Summer. So, fans will get some closure to the series but they’ll have to wait a few extra months to get it.
Michael Wright, TNT’s Executive VP head of programming, is sorry to see the show end. In a statement, he said, “The show’s continued success is thanks to the amazing talents of Holly Hunter and [series creator] Nancy Miller, along with a tremendous ensemble cast and a highly skilled production team. They have taken us on a unique journey, and we look forward to seeing where it will ultimately lead.”
What do you think? Are you ready t say goodbye to Grace Hanadarko? Would you like to see the cast return, perhaps in TV movies?
Image courtesy TNT.
Why oh why do the really good shows with strong characters leave us so soon? I am very hopeful that this well written if not a little quirky will be picked up by another network. Holly Hunter and her fine supporting cast are fabulous each episode. Edwina
Read the article at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/11/fox-television-studios-network-tv-emiliano-calemzuk.html
That tells the whole story. Rupert Murdoch and his Italian employee are selling out American TV to foreign investors. Just another chink in the economy. They are more interested in doing it cheap that in providing quality work. DUH!!!
I stand corrected. Accorning to the LA TImes, Chernin left last year. He is the one who hired this yokel, then bailed: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/24/business/fi-chernin24
So the one in Charge is Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., which started losing money after hiring Emiliano and before Chernin quit. Seems to me that Emiliano is the problem, not Grace! Write Murdoch at News Corp, see if he gives a flip.
Chrissie – the ones who pulled the plug on Saving Grace are Emiliano Calemzuk who was hired by by Peter Chernin to take over News Corp.’s Fox Television Studios. Chernin brought in a guy who spent 5 years in Italy. Write them. I have suggested that Emiliano is the one who should be cancelled! This guy is contributing to the dumbing down of America…removing Grace and Earl removes reasons to think. Instead, TNT is giving us reruns of shows with no redeeming qualities, just violence. And, ADMIN: these posts are NOT over 6 months old!! Your note needs revision or… Read more »
@Mary Sagor: If you check the post date, you’ll see that it was posted in August 2009. That date notation refers to the post and not to comments (like yours). I hope that helps.
see this is why i dont watch NEW SHOWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ive watched saving grace since it first aired…. now its going to end???? tnt….u stink….hey maybe usa will pick it up
Ok I bought season 1 and 2. I will buy every season. Come on who does one have to convince THIS IS A GREAT SHOW. Who do we have to write to? I love love holly and the guys! Save them.
The good old boy network keeps saying that the numbers are not there
I think they are running scared be cause there are two shows with strong female leads.
Look out The Closer.
I have watched Saving Grace from the beginning. You are making a terrible mistake getting rid of the show. If it were not for the strong cast, the show never would have come together so well. The show needs to continue.
According to what I’ve read, TNT wants to renew – it’s Fox that does not want to produce. All the creator has to do is find another production company. … So, the question is, how long will it take them to find someone to pick up where the idiots at Fox dropped off?
I sure wish FOX and TNT would reconsider cancelling “Saving Grace”. The drama is definitely adult, gritty, and messy, but that’s what’s so good about it. There are no easy answers. Holly Hunter is incredible and the rest of the cast is great. How can we bring about this show’s resurrection???
I can’t believe the show is ending! Can’t they get someone else to produce it? I think it is one of the best shows on television right now and the characters (especially Grace) are so intriguing and are unlike anything I
I truly do not see how this show could be any more expensive to produce than any other show on the market. The only special effects are Earl’s wings and the occasional trip to the Grand Canyon. I think that some fundamentalist in a position of authority is offended by Grace’s lifestyle, even though she is in process of learning how her actions affect others, and has decided to quit producing it based on his own set of morals. Never mind the fan base, the quality of writing and acting and the Emmy nominations. Fox Studio Production Co. should be… Read more »
I like the way the show’s characters are growing. Grace’s redemption needs to happen. I love Earl the angel. This show has a lot of merit and it’s a thinking person’s type of TV. I hope you resurrect it in a movie format or some other venue. It’s one of the few good shows that isn’t that reality crap. If I wanted to see that, I’d go downtown Dallas!
I hope it and The Closer return.
Strong women need to be used as protagonists more often.
It saddens me that Saving Grace won’t be continuing. Unfortunately the Studio Executive that made the decision is only looking @ the bottom-line. This is the problem with our society in general, too much “bottom-line and not enough quality. There are many viewers that don’t enjoy the multitude of “reality shows”. On what planet are any of these shows reality? Most of us are like Grace, we struggle everyday with real issues, relationships, and heart aches.
Let there be resurrection! Yes I am tired of Grace and her part time boyfriend…..frankly I dont care for his character. How did he even become a cop? But the exploration of crime, connections of strangers, and of course angels (bringing F Murray Abraham in was good), consequences are all important and vital to the show. And Holly Hunter is absolutely amazing!…. as always