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. It’s definitely one of my top 5 favorite shows. Don’t get me wrong – I love Brenda Lee Johnson but I love all of the other characters just as well. Maybe they need to write Kyra Sedgwick out and keep the show going.
I truly pray that this is a mistake. To take this show off would prove to be a detrimental mistake. Brenda and Fritz still have to start a family and her name has to be completely cleared. Please reconsider this decision.
Sadden, Could there at least be several SPECIALS during the year?
the perfect ending would be for it not to end.this is not fair to us loyal viewers. do something about this before it is too late.
My family will be sorry to see the show end. I hope we will see more of Kyra on tv. I would like to see Brenda having a baby.
My idea of the perfect ending for “The Closer” would be the words “TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.”
I am sorry to see the closer end. there are not many shows that have a woman who can be strong like Kyra. If she it had been a man who manage to close cases using the tactics that Kyra did, they would not even question them.
My family and I have been watching for a year,I did not thnk the program had been on for seven years….is there any thing her viewers can say or do to make her change her mind,the last show I would liketo see her and husband have a baby,and she end up liking being a mother.
I was so heart broken to hear that The Closer was coming to an end.
Brenda and the rest of the cast Thank you Thank you so much.
Hopefully Fritzze will get a promotion and will be transfered so Brenda
will give up her promotion in LA retire and start a fam.
New appointed Deputy Cheif David Gabreil having learned all he could from Brenda takes over LAPD wishing every once in a while he could talks to get
her blessing.
Do not know when I have enjoyed a series as much as The Closer. I do hate to see it end. Do wish Kyra Sedgwick would change her mind. WOW!! Sure going to miss.
I have to confess that i have thoroughly enjoyed The Closer, I must also confess to being totally shocked to find that it will close on season seven after achieving supreme status amongst a plethora of crime dramas currently making the rounds on American and international networks. Kyra and her co stars have done an excellent job and have won the love and respect of millions around the world. I wish them all continued success and hope they all sleep soundly upon a huge pile of cash for many years to come !!!
The finale would be great if Brenda finds she is pregnant, and decides she needs to retire and take care of the baby insid her. Her husband is more and more devoted to her, and she is thrilled to be a Mom, but has torn feelings about leaving the force. A big baby shower is thrown for her by the “guys” and she has a hard time not to cry…She gives them all candy, and sloly leaves!!!
My best to ‘ya all. Thank you so VERY much for such a great run!!!
Diana
THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST TV SERIES IN YEARS!!!!!!!!!! I WILL MISS IS SO MUCH!!!!!!!
I have really enjoyed this series. Not since the days of “Dallas” have I watched a series as “religously.” So sorry to see it go; but there will be DVD sets (Yeah).
I have enjoyed watching The Closer, its one of very few shows you can watch together as a family. Clean, funny, sad, its life. I have watched from the very beginning, I remember saying ,I love the show but Kyra is trying to hard with the accent, I am from the South, now she has it down perfectly!!! Kyra, really wish you would stay !!! The cast is AWESOME!!!