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.
p lease someone pick up saving grace. i love to watch it . there arent alot of good shows that seem to make it anymore. i dont know why all the polls are with the 18 to 49 yr old. do they think because someone turns 50 they go into a cave and die. they watch tv probably more than the 18 yr old do. they also buy stuff.
I’m not sure what happened here? I am taken aback a bit – I am not a Christian and I find this plot so explosive and intriguing. First it’s a cop show then it’s about a strong female with a god-like twist but not offensive. I love the battle for faith, love and family. There is no show out here like it. maybe the fact that it’s on so late with maybe a questionable amount of sex in it is losing viewers (of course that’s why I liked it)? Well I hope something positive comes out of it – hope… Read more »
What are they thinking…oh I know, a show about GOD…it must go…they (you know who you are) are trying to take GOD out of everything. This show was great. It showed that Christians are not perfect just forgiven. I think that message is what we need right now! Hopefully Fox will allow another network to pick it up…that would be the Christian thing to do…I won’t get my hopes up!
Typical Fox moronic decision. Finally, a decent show with brilliant writing, interesting characters, and a truly unique premise comes on TV, and some dumbf*** at Fox decides it isn’t profitable enough. I agree with Stu – Fox wouldn’t know a hit if it bit ’em on the butt. The only good shows on TV these days are on cable, and most of them are summer series. The regular networks are larded with every conceivable kind of idiotic reality shows (and they’ve crept into cable, too). A good TV drama is darned hard to come by these days, and Saving Grace… Read more »
I would like to see the show continue for sure. Let’s hope another network picks it up.
FOX apparently wouldn’t know a hit show if it bit them.
The uniqueness of Saving Grace, interaction of the characters as well as the big screen (read: larger than life yet totally believable and relatable) charisma of the cast compounded by the direction and storylines makes keeping Saving Grace a no brainer and dumping it a career-ender (in my humble opinion). A show like this comes along once every 10-20 years. It should be ’embraced’ not discarded.
Embrace OUR Grace!
Maybe another network that CHARACTERS are WELCOME! might pick it up? 🙂
As soon as I start getting into a show….some airhead (young) decides to pull the plug because it doesn’t appeal to the youth of the country. I can see cable now….full of housewives of each major city……talk about trash!!! I know my boycott doesn’t help unless the multitudes are with me, but in case…..I do boycott products and stations. I see very little tv now and don’t use major brand products. They need to get rid of The Closer and Hawthorne……but the real reason is the Church is probably behind it!!! Look how they dealt with Joan of Arcadia!!! In… Read more »
I am SICKENED, truly sickened, by the news of the cancellation of Saving Grace. For the last three years I have followed Grace’s life and the lives of her “family” and eagerly anticipated the next episode. I watch each episode two or three times to see if I missed one of the innuendos or short lines which weave the underlying storyline (Grace learning about FAITH) into the most wonderful pattern! EVERY character in this show HAS character! The show has values, is “old suthun” in it’s Bible Belt way, and is not about Grace the cop, but about Grace being… Read more »
You all can think of other shows Fox has axed? I can. a boycott of Fox is too much to hope for. Perhaps a responsible televison network could pick up the show?
I’m angry and sad. The quality of the acting and uniqueness of the storyline are incredible. I can’t believe that formula series are getting more consideration and funding than this orginal and passionate show. Once again, the good shows get cancelled and the mediocre shows live on for decades. I guess I won’t be watching much on TNT after next summer.
This is awful! I can count on one hand the number of shows that I have watched from the beginning to the end without fail, and this is one of them. I wonder if there’s a possibility that another network could pick it up? And what’s the deal with having to wait almost a year for the end? I’m in my mid-50’s and my patience isn’t what it used to be, you know? I agree with Texas – it’s nice that we will at least be getting some closure, but I wish we wouldn’t have to worry about it. This… Read more »
I am furious! I have never really watched TV but I love this show. If I could only choose 1 show watch the rest of my life, it would be Saving Grace!
I must say that this seasons premise has been weakened, the storyline about the woman that she is supposed to have dealings with has not really gone anywhere for me. Entirely different though about Retta though, what she is portraying makes me love the show.
I agree with Sirema! I couldn’t have said it better my friend! Great words of wisdom!
I love this show. I will not watch “reality TV” shows or stupid mindless comedy. I just started watching this trying to come up with something to replace Life that I had been waiting to start again, then I found out it was cancelled so came to see this. Loved it, and then just now found out it was cancelled too! I don’t understand why the good shows/ with good writers, get cancelled. Surely they can/do make enough money? I guess TV will just be for the mindless stupid masses from now on! I know enough stupid wage slaves are… Read more »