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.
So sorry to see The Closer end. Just a couple of suggestions……TNT could start showing the reruns from the very beginning of the series. A lot of us didn’t start watching from the beginning and by the time the reruns end, we would have forgotten what happend anyway. Also, please consider a spinoff with Flynn and Provenza. Those two could carry it off because they are so funny together.
The last 2 episodes should be about Brenda catching & killing
Attorney Stroth, the lawyer who raped six women & murder
The seventh , she should shot him dead & be proven guilty free
Of any wrongdoing on his death as well as connecting this
Attorney , who is taking her to the court by identifying him
As a relative of mr stroth .
I AM VERY UPSET TO HEAR THIS. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SHOW. I WAS LOKING FORWARD TO BRENDAS LAWYER BEATING THAT LIL; SHORT LAWYER IN FEDERAL COURT. BRENDA NEEDS TO HAVE A BABY. THIS JUST AIN’T RIGHT.
I don’t even believe it. I can’t believe it. I won’t believe it. I have to say I just feel very sorry for myself. There isn’t any other program on TV that I would rather watch, ever!!!!! Please don’t close The Closer down. There’s nothing to compare with it in actresses or actors or story line. I just don’t understand why the best programs have to end and the lousy programs keep going!!!!! This is such a disservice to the TV watchers of TV land. Well, I guess I’ll just stop watching TV. So, To the Cast and Crew….. Thanks… Read more »
Sorry to see the Closer end. I will miss the show. I am very upset about how the show ended. They should have found a different ending, not with Mr. Goldman trying to destroy
Brenda’s reputation. What was the reason for the ending of this series?
love love love love it! Kyra is sexy as hell. the show is like no other. just got into it. i am looking forward to seeing season one through repeats. however i am confussed, i just saw the season ending and it made no sense. the attorney charging her of other misconduct, she shakes and its over. maybe i won’t see the repeats knowing how it will end.
With tears in my eyes, I will say good bye. The Closer is the BEST show on TV. The character interactions were superb. There are few programs that I can watch more than once, but I never tire of the old episodes. I will miss it very much. Brenda Leigh was one of a kind for sure!!!
I had just seen the season finale and it was awful how it ended.. I support Kyra with her decision but I do apologize the season can’t end on the note that it just ended. How do you end a season without really ending it leaving us waiting for more. It is not fair. It is better to have it finish better than what it did. This sucks!
Don’t go! Love the show, love the cast, especially Provenza
Please don’t destroy Brenda’s character. Even if the actress wants to leave the show, that is not a good reason to destroy her character. If it appears you are going to do that, I will just stop watching the show. Also, keep her squad members alive at the last episode. Letting them all say good-bye, with Brenda going with Fritz for his new position with the F.B.I. in Wash. D.C. would be a fitting ending.
wonderful show and fabulous ensemble cast. My idea for the finale ‘arc’ would be Fritz getting another offer for a higher up job in FBI in DC, so Brenda Leigh, who has been hinting all season that she is tired, finally decides it is time to start a family and leave LA for DC – and her parents MUST return for at least one more episode, to “help her move”. Also, I concur with an earlier posting that it would be cool to have Kevin Bacon in an episode. I think the leak is Captain Raynor. maybe that is too… Read more »
please do not take it off the air
I am really surprised that tnt would take the closer off the air, i wish they wouldn’t this is one show i wait for every week and i am very saddened that it is ending
I have watched “The Closer” from day 1. There were times when I could not stand Commander but I know that was just a part he had to play. I will miss G.W. Bailey because he brought so much wit to the show. I remember him from Police Academy and have watched any movies or shows he appeared in. I feel like I’m about to loss a member of my family again. I am a detective, police officer show groupee; everytime I get into a program the shows get cancelled. Columbo, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Numbers, and now The… Read more »
I will miss the show very much, it is almost part of our family. We were hoping last night would be the end of the trial situation, now it will go on and on and on.
Hopefully this will not end the great relationships of the team that we have learned to love.
If it is the person I think who is the leak, this needs to be found out quickly and let this storyline end.
Would like to see a spin off with the woman investigator as the lead, but not Pope.