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.
This is my favorite show ever. I don’t know what I will do without my Monday family.
Have the current chief take a job in federal law enforcement and have Brenda take the job of Chief. Simmons stays in his job as a concession to Brenda to takethe Chief’s job. Fritz becomes a contract consultant to the Department. Brenda agrees to appear in every episode in a cameo or two, but all aof them are actually filmed before the season begins. She also agrees to make one episode where she can’t resist leading an investigaiton. Raynor takes over Brenda’s old spot.
I don’t want The Closer to end. I was shocked when they announced the season finale and then the cancellation. let the guys try it alone with captain Raydor, or someone else.
I to am so VERY sad to hear the Closer is ending, I do not think the show would be the same without her but having her come back now and then is a GREAT idea, but keep Fritz/her parents on as a regulars. The whole cast is GREAT PLEASE PLEASE find some way to keep it going.
I think it can go on as a series. Her and fritzy have a baby. She decides in her maternity leave that she wants to be a stay at home mom. That way she does not put her life in danger and leave her child without a mom. That way Fritzy can still make appearances. Maybe chief Pope could take a pay cut and take over Brenda’s job. Or maybe Fritz can leave the FBI and take over Major Crimes or one of the older team members become the chief of major crimes. All plausible ways to continue the series.… Read more »
Some of my clients nicknamed me “The Closer” for my ability
to get someone to confess 🙂 That is the first time I heard of the
show so they bought me the DVD’s. I have been hooked ever since…
have that same propensity to dig in my bag 🙂 I will miss it
terribly. I want Sedgewick/Johnson to become pregnant 🙂 and be
told she is having triplets 🙂 Then I want a movie (like Sex and
the City)… why not????
I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU ARE STOPPING THE CLOSER. WE LIVE IN GULFPORT, MS.WE STARTED WATCHING DEC.2005, AFTER HURRICAN KATRINA. WE WERE REBUILDING OUR HOUSE, AND THE CLOSER, WAS ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS IN A DAY OF REALLY HARD AND SAD WORK. IT IS MY FAVORITE SHOW AND I WATCH RERUNS OF IT TIL THE NEW SEASON STARTS. I REALLY WISH YOU WOULD RETHINK. IF NOT,THEN PLEASE HAVE KEVEN BACON ON AS A BAD GUY. HE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES . IT WOULD BE SO GREAT TO SEE HIM AND KYRA TOGETHER AGAIN. HE IS A GREAT BAD… Read more »
No! I love the show The Closer, and I am only 13! I love it! I hope to be a C.S.I. when I am older, and The Closer gives me an inside look of what goes on! I will miss The Closer!
Why is it everytime we (the audience) becomes so invested in a great show, it goes away? I agree with the comment that suggest a spinoff. At least we would be able to see some of the other characters that we have come to love.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a great show. The other
characters are strong enough to carry a spin off it could
work!
I love the closer and can’t handle the thought of it ending!!! please reconsider!!! there has to be something to keep it going until brenda can come back!!!
Why not a spin off, all of same crew with new leadership.. What happened to spinoffs. This is a great show, Y is it that Kyra won & decides to leave, if she lost would she still be leaving..
COME ON WARNER BROS & DUFF…………SPIN OFF…. SPIN OFF…
I Too am so sorry to see the Closer leave! I can’t imagine why but I hope you all get along as well as your charactors do. Kyra, we love you and the entire cast; you do such a great job with your role we all love Brenda Leigh! Can’t you have her put on some under cover FBI/Major Case case mission? And have Kyra come back after she is rested? I know this is a very busy job you all do. We you all!
I love the show, I agree with Pam’s comment to send Brenda on some police business. In her absence why not have Capt. Raynor take over in her place.
I love the Closer! Please say it isn’t so with other much loved series being cancelled, like the Terriers, Memphis Beat, and The Good Guys!
Can’t everyone move over to USA? Please?
I love the show and the cast! Maybe Brenda should go on police business for a while and let the guys do some work around there. Idont want it to go way!!!!