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.
There is too much left unfinished, what happens to Grace after, does she become an angel. grrr I am so frustrated that they put a quick band-aid ending on it and called it quits. Come on the fans need more
Was I the only one that saw earl searching for grace after she committed suicide?? yes she did (we hope) destroy evil’s plans for a bit but she sacrificed herself by suicide, and as unfortunate as that maybe she wont get into heaven and I think that is why Earl was searching to see if “God” had made an acceptation I don’t think he did.
I will miss this show
RedFang
I got the Mexico trip as Grace’s way of honoring the little girl she accidentally ran over. The picture of Esperanza in the dress, Grace got the same dress & went to a young girl’s party and gave her Esperanza’s bracelet. Almost like saying,”here, this is for you Esperanza”. I mean, we have to remember that she just did drugs, so she might have been tripping out a bit. Or maybe she just wanted closeure of her own. Either way, I was so sad to see the ending. I mean really? The writers were insane!!! But, what do we know?… Read more »
I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t get the Mexico piece. I’m STILL trying to figure it out!! The only thing I liked about the ending was that Grace died the same way she lived: On HER terms. She was in control, and she made the choice to save others. I loved the originality of this show, and it pushed the limits so many times. I loved Grace, and that even with Earle, she was no angel! Such a strong woman character is hard to find… And she wasn’t 21 either– how nice! I would be very happy… Read more »
I agree Linda. Was a very powerful ending but left a lot of loose ends that need tying up- poor Hamm just getting ready to propose. Where’s a proper police funeral for an outstanding detective. This was by far one of the best drama’s I’ve seen in a long time. Kudos to TNT for keeping the summer full of fantastic programming when the networks continue to go down the drain.
Just way to sad. I can’t believe the show is over. It seems like all the decision makers in the past few seasons, especially this season, are NUTS. I turned to cable when the regular networks started their grab of cancelling great shows for stupid ones and now cable is doing it. I for one am not going to watch the new season, I will just get more dvd’s from Netflix.
I can’t believe that LA is removing the best show on! Saving Grace, with Holly Hunter, has so many possibilities! But, rather taking toward an Universal message, the producers decided to look at the declining ratings. I did get tired of some of the episodes. One, iin today’s world needs to focus on a higher ground! You have all JUST BEGUN!! Seriously, son’t let this one go. But have the writers go in another direction,; kind of the last two shows. I know the actors will enjoy , as well as the viewers, MESSAGE, that goes to the heart. And,… Read more »
loved this show hated the ending didnt get the mexico deal either please do something
Definitely need more closure on this show. The ending was rushed and… left a lot to be desired. Grace was a fantastic character, flawed heroine who struggled with life. Grace’s relationship with Rhetta was wonderful and moving. They really need a little more closure on this show. The last episode left too much hanging. There was a LOT they could have done with that. Besides, Grace’s friends and family need to know that she did not just kill herself for no reason. I want to see more of how the brother and family and Hamm and other friends deal with… Read more »
The only good thing about the ending was the look on Earl’s face as the coroner’s van (or whatever it was) drove away-there was no finality or sadness in the expression…that and the so many unanswered questions do leave the door open for a movie, mini-series, whole new series with another production company, SOMETHING. If nothing else is in the works, then we really were sold a bill of goods and the ending was totally unsatisfactory. ADMIN please respond. Did the writers deliberately leave the door open for further episodes of some kind? Or were they so rushed they didn’t… Read more »
@Anonymous: I don’t have any knowledge of plans for a future production but it seems like there are plenty of little loopholes that could be used.
I loved this show and was so sad to see it end. It left me with such a sense of sadness I cant even explain it. I guess that means the writers did a good job. I however enjoy much happier endings or at least ones that dont leave so much heartache in its wake however this is very much showing how life can sometimes be. I cried like a baby when Ham was walking out with the body bag. It was good though that they left it open ended so that maybe it can go on in another form… Read more »
I am going to miss one of the best shows I ever watched! Why does that always happened ? They finally have a hit show that everyone I know watches it every week and they take it off the air! Don’t the producers see what a hit show SAVING GRACE REALLY IS? Disappointed in Chicago!
Why can’t they have it be a dream that she had. When she went for her swim in the ocean, it could be that she got pulled under in the undertow and passed out. Then have the same events occur without her dying. It really was crappy that they ended the show with her dying. I wasn’t prepared to let her go. 🙁
Well, the dream ploy worked for “Dallas” in the 80’s – they had one of the characters wake up to realize that an entire SEASON had been a bad dream! In this case, I do not see that it could be a possiblility unless Nancy Miller is able to find another studio to do the taping of the show. I doubt that all the public outcry on the planet could make Rupert and Emiliano choose to do the production work again. I could be wrong, but these men are diven by dollar signs and sleazy reality shows are much cheaper… Read more »
Every network is driven by money or did you miss the entire Jay Leno soap opera on NBC? Actors get paid to much money, that’s why these shows do not stay on the air.
I have never watched and will never watch a reality show. I don’t understand why people watch them. I have a life of my own and plenty of drama and stuff to go with it. Why would I watch some other idiots in real life? Give me a break!!! I just don’t get the reality show thing but they seem to be popular and the networks are flocking to them. In time, I think they’ll wear off and be replaced with something else. Maybe more cartoon shows. I hate cartoon shows. I want to see real people act!!! I would… Read more »
Hi, I do get the endding, but I would have her come back as a angel in the squad room in front of everybody . What I don’t get is the trip to Mexico. Was she living the girl’s live had she stayed in Mexico?
I’d like to see a tv movie or two with the cast. Grace can now be one of Earl’s peers, a fellow angel. The finale only gave closure in a very small sense. The show is all about the big picture and the only closure we got was a very shallow, here and now ending. We need to see where Grace went from there, how her loved ones grew from the experience of having had Grace in teir lives we should have at least gotten to see that she hasnt ceased to exist on every level. Such an unsatisfying way… Read more »
Fox Studios suck! SAVING GRACE was by far the best TV show on the air and they killed it off over greed. The best news out of this is that the way the series ended, another network could pick it up and continue with the story line. Is Grace really dead or does Earl bring her back from the dead? With the demise of SAVING GRACE there is little if anything worth left watch on TV, thanks so much FOX. To the cast and crew of SAVING GRACE, amazing work by all of you. This show reached a level of… Read more »