Back in July, TNT announced that The Closer would be back for a seventh season of 15 episodes. The series has been the top performer for the cable channel and the most-watched TV show on ad-supported cable television.
Now, TNT has announced The Closer is coming to an end. The press release notes that the decision came from series star Kyra Sedgwick.
Here’s the official press release…
TNT Announces Final Season of Landmark Hit THE CLOSER
TNT’s long-running, breakout hit THE CLOSER will wrap up its phenomenal run with a final season in 2011. The difficult decision to conclude the series with season seven was made by Kyra Sedgwick, the Emmy-winning star of THE CLOSER.
“It’s impossible to fully express our appreciation to Kyra Sedgwick, series creator James Duff and all of the other talented people who brought THE CLOSER to TNT viewers,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “THE CLOSER was a pivotal series in setting a new course for TNT’s original programming, while also serving as a prime example of the storytelling strength possible on cable television.”
“I cannot fathom how difficult it will be to say goodbye to the incredible family we’ve created on THE CLOSER,” Sedgwick said. “I will always be grateful to James Duff for his love and friendship, as well as for creating such a rich and complex character who I have loved living with year after year. Mike, Greer, Rick and all of our outstanding cast and crew are forever in my heart. I want to thank TNT and Warner Bros. Television, as well as the incredible fans of THE CLOSER, for all of their unwavering support over the last seven years.”
THE CLOSER proved to be a resounding success after its debut on TNT in 2005. The series – which is produced for TNT by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television – was created by Duff, who serves as executive producer with Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, Rick Wallace and Sedgwick. In its seventh and final season in 2011, THE CLOSER will reach its 100th episode. Production of the 15-episode season will start in spring 2011.
“Kyra Sedgwick has distinguished herself not only as an extraordinary actress, but as a remarkable set leader and presence on THE CLOSER,” said Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros. Television. “The series has literally changed the face and course of both TNT and Warner Bros. Television, and we will always be grateful for all that she has contributed toward that success.”
“Kyra blazed a new trail in the television landscape with her performance as Brenda Leigh Johnson,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “Like her many fans, we will miss her terribly, and we will be forever grateful for the time we got to spend with her.”
THE CLOSER is currently in the midst of concluding its sixth season. This past summer, the series was the foundation of TNT’s strong Monday night lineup, which featured the introduction of the new hit series Rizzoli & Isles.
THE CLOSER and Rizzoli & Isles currently rank as basic cable’s top two series of all time. In 2010, both series averaged more than 8 million viewers, marking a first for a basic cable network. THE CLOSER also kept up the pace by growing its deliveries compared to season five.
What do you think? Are you sorry to hear The Closer is ending? What would you like to see happen in the series finale?
Image courtesy TNT.
I hate to see this show go! This is truly one of the best show on today. All this reality crap
drives me up a wall. But if Brenda needs to leave let her leave pregnant and still handing
out orders to the troops . Make her parents and Fritz happy
I hate that TNT has decided to end “The Closer” but I hope it will be picked up by someone and soon. I look forward to the highlight of my Monday nights which ends with “The Closer”.
what a great show. i hate to see it end but glad that we do get to see a few more episodes. the cast is very good but brenda fit wonderfully with them not sure replacing just her would work.
I am so sorry to see it end. My husband Larry L.Simms was one of the original SWAT members of the LAPD. He created the Simms Mobile and many other inventions for the team. He was a proud member of the LAPD for almost 30 years. 20 of it in SWAT. So our roots run deep with the show. Because it has always shown this great Police department for what it is and what it stands for. Thank you and your whole team of outstanding actors showing the humor (which there is alot of) and what these men and women… Read more »
Hi Marcia, I just stumbled on your coment about t heoser. Tell Larry hey for me and Lenore. If you get this please E-mail me.I Would like to keep in touch.
I would like to see it end with Brenda being pregnant. I think it would make for a great exit.
best program on the air! so sad it is ending.
Some interesting posts here. From the episodes I have seen of the show, I don’t see how it could keep going without Brenda. I have never seen an episode where she did not close the case with insight that none of the other characters had or were capable of having. The rest of the cast is great in support, but without Brenda there, they wouldn’t seem capable of really closing most of the cases they would get. Remove Brenda from the equation, and the show will become very boring, because this really isn’t an ensemble cast. It is Brenda with… Read more »
Please people THINK outside the box. Brenda Lee was great ,but not irreplaceable and it does not have to be called The Closer.
We love The Closer and hate to see it end. Not sure anyone could “replace” Brenda Lee, but the remaining cast are great and perhaps someone else could be brought in. Not Capt Rader as she is not a likable character. Like the idea of Brenda Lee’s promotion and occasional guest appearance. Holly Hunter’s character was too much of a “bad” girl, but there is bound to be someone else who could be cast in a creative role as Asst Chief. Hope something can be done.
I hate to see this go off the air!!! this is one of the best shows. I am not a fan of Rizzoli & Isles. I think that the banter between these two woman is ridiculous and makes them look incredibly stupid. (but that’s just my opinion). I will truly miss the Closer. I am still in morning over the original Law and Order. Please, not another reality show to take its place!
My family and I are extremely sad to hear this show is ending. The cast is just wonderful. Why can’t they create a spinoff or continue without Brenda, continuing with the current cast? There could be so much more to continue with. Krya is wonderful and such a teriffic actress, but it just doesn’t seem fair to kick everyone else to the curb. There is still so much storyline this show could do.
@Steve…I am TOTALLY against replacing her. But you do make a case for it. And a STRONG one at that. I think that would be a great story line.
I am very sad to see this show end. It seems like when it is on the air in the summer, it doesn’t last long enough. But when it is on, it is amazing. There has never been one weak season in this show’s history. This is truly a show that will be missed.
I suggest that they replace Kyra with Holly Hunter (played a great detective on Saving Grace). She could be broght in to replace Kyra’s charecter who could be “killed off” by an ex-con who “gets even” with her.
She should thank Law & Order because without its strong presence on TNT, The Closer would have never worked. Good show though, but at least it was the lead character making the call and not the network.
Rizzoli & Isles is the best show on cable, by far, and better than 95% of network shows.
Very sad to see this but glad that we have the rest of this season, plus another 15 beginning next fall/winter. Actually, I would like to suggest to TNT that they keep the series going, with Brenda Leigh getting the LAPD chiefs position after the new chief is killed; that way she could make guest appearances. Then either Capt Rader or someone else could be brought in as the Deputy Chief of the Major Case squad or whatever their title is and we could keep the rest of the great actors together, including Will Pope.
I am with you Steve, I think they should give it a go for her to be able to make guest appearances, and I think it would be great if she made the LAPD chief, and become pregnant. She and Fritz (mostly Fritz) wanted a child 🙂
I agree with steve and bev. The show can go on without her Captn. Rader is a good character to dig into as well as the rest of the wonderful supporting cast.
It’s had a good run, but, to be honest, this current season is weak and there were some big opportunities missed for great stories. Perhaps it’s best to go out while on top.
As for Rizzoli and Isles, I just cannot see why that show is so popular.
I completely agree with you about Rizzoli & Isles! These two women are way too much and not enough of just a good one hour mystery. I don’t get it.