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 have watched since the very first episode, I will miss this show terribly! Thank you all for the last 7 years
I for one will miss the whole gang. I think the the Closer is on of the best Television Show’s out. I wish the story line would continue for ever.
My family is totally heartbroken to hear The Closer ending…..Please do something to bring it back…..It is worth whatever you have to pay Kyra and the rest of the cast…..This has been our all time high series ever…….So much junk on TV and you let this one go????? That’s today’s mentality…..So so sad……….
I am so disappointed I WON’T get to watch my favorite show The Closer. I am hoping they will change their minds and continue the show. A monday with out Brenda Lee JoHNSON solving crime” BORRING!!!!”
What would I like to see before The Closer ends? Well, Provenza’s ex-wife needs to die or remarry, so he can retire without giving her 1/2 his retirement. Captain Taylor needs an office. Pope deserves to get that traffic cop position. Brenda and Fritz start a family. …and they lived happily ever after. Thanks for all the memories-it’s been great!
Sooo not happy that it’s ending. : , (
I have never been so sad to know that a show is ending. I love this show so much I feel so sad I can’t imagine this is the end
The Closer is by far the best series on TV today, bar none. We look forward to Monday night so that we, as a family, can watch this outsatanding show. We feel 5hat we are menbers of Brenda’s team and work hard to help her extract the needed episode ending confession. If you end this series, I will b3 forced to carry on a conversation with my wife on Mondays. Not a pertty picture!!! Brenda help me please???? We will really miss all of the Major Crimes folks. Thank you fot seven great seasons
This is such a well written show – Brenda is as legendary as Columbo. Each character is so well developed, the ensemble has worked together like art itself. Truly a joy to watch. Ending the show is an incredible dissapointment as a viewer, thank all of you for being as good as you’ve been and bringing great entertainment to television.
frankly, i would like to think i read the piece incorrectly, because i cannot remember enjoying a tv production more, at least in the last ten years. of course, i think ms. sedgwick is remarkable as chief johnson. the detailed facets of her character were so perfectly performed that she became her charater. and she could be hilarious. and very introspective. i just love her. but then i always loved kyra sedgewick. the cast of characters around her, so in tuned to her character. the humor, the caring after a bumpy beginning, i thought remarkable. i always liked j.k. simmons,… Read more »
I am very upset that Kyra S. has decided to leave “The Closer”. I have only just learned that this will be the last season and am heartbroken! We are both disabled and waiting for each new season or re-run has been a high spot every year. I WILL NOT WATCH the spin-off. If it is a matter of money, PAY HER MORE! We were faithful fans of CSI until the original cast began dropping off. Grissom finally marries Sarah and then SHE RETURNS TO CSI. What a load of crap. Her departure began the decline and I haven’t watched… Read more »
We are very, very sad to see The Closer close. We always looked forward to all the new shows. We’ve laughed and we’ve cried{me doing the crying, but James always understood} Whatever Kyra{Brenda} and all the cast members do from hear on out, we wish them well and all the blessings that they can contain. You will be sorely missed.
I am so very very sorry to hear that the Closer will not be back on TNT. This particular series has set the standard to what television should be. I watch a lot of British shows like New Tricks, Pie in the Sky, Midsomer Murders, Frost, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot and believe me American Television programming is in real trouble. The Closer had given me some hope for seeing American Actors in a positive light and now that light seems much dimmer. There will be a huge gaping hole in American television and TNT that will not be filled anytime… Read more »
I love this show and looked forward to seeing it on Monday nights. All of the people on the series became like family, this was the strongest female lead I have ever seen on television, and I enjoyed every second of it. I will miss it ! What ever I watch on Monday nights now, I will think of “The Closer” and Kyra Sedgwick (Brenda Lee Johnson) and the rest of the cast and wish the show and the cast were back.
I was shocked to hear that this is the last season, I will certainly miss all of you. The show has the highlight of my summers for the past seven years. I loved the show from day one. My children knew not to bother me on monday nights until the show was over. I love the re-runs during the day, if i am on lunch at that time, and also on saturdays. I also watch on sunday nights on the new york station. Kyra and cast and especially your parents i will miss you. Love you all. From Freeport, Grand… Read more »
I like “all” of the Closer fans will be sorry to see the show end. However, I respect Ms. Sedgwick’s decision to end the series while on the top of her game. “We” the viewers, must repect that she did not make this decision hastily. I’m sure there are other projects/charatcers that she would like to work on. I do have one request, before the show ends please have Kevin Bacon in just one episode. Their daughter was a part of the series and was great. I would be nice if Kevin could be apart of the series as well.… Read more »