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 think that ending the show is crazy. This show was my Monday night fix.
I dido everything everyone had to say. I do understand that a show can’t run forever but this was one that help make my Monday nights. Look forward to seeing Kyra in what ever is next for her. I’m sure it will be as great as this one was.
This is my favorite show and I love all the characters. They have become like family to me and I really don’t want this show to end. I hope they can make a run-off from this but Kyra will be almost impossible to replace. It is so hard to find great ensemble acting and the acting in this show has just been superior. I wish Kyra the best in her future, but really wish she would reconsider.
I would love to see Brenda lee catch the lawyer rappist killer … that she so much wanted to catch ..l can’t remmber the guys name but he use one of his clients to do his duty work … and then the client of his told everyone it was him his lawyer… As I write this there is a tear the comes down my face … I WILL MISS HER … I will look forward to seeing her in other opportunitys… It has been a long time that i have watch a series like this and I personal own each… Read more »
This is the best show on TV and I can’t believe it’s coming to an end. Other than NCIS this was the only show I watched. The entire cast worked so well together and it’s a shame to see them go. I guess being from the south made Brenda Lee seem like family.
A friend of mine told me that THE CLOSER was going off the air and I said you are crazy. That is such a popular show, how could it be ending? I was wrong and I am sooooo sad that we are losing Brenda Lee.. This has been my favorite show of all time and I can only hope they change their minds…
We can’t believe that the Series is ending!!! What are we going to do with our Monday nights??? We always looked forward to putting the baby to bed and sitting down to relax and get lost in THE CLOSER. It truely is a shame that THE CLOSER has to come to an end. I guess it’s time to buy the Series collection. ;o)
I will miss “The Closer” terribly!! It has hands down been my favorite show I have ever watched on television! I love Kyra(Brenda) and hope the final episode finds her FINALLY pregnant!!
Oh no, did not realize this was going to happen. So many of my friends watch the show also we were all waiting for the next season to start. Big mistake to end this one. So few good shows anymore.
Darn! We just learned the upcoming season will be the last. As I was reading the other comments I noticed that many people mentioned how much couples enjoyed the show. That is certainly true for us, too. We made a special point not to miss shows or else TIVO’d if we were going to be out of town so we could watch it later. We love all the characters in the show – what a great ensemble! We will really miss this show – it is so much better than all of the “Reality” shows, which we hate. TNT will… Read more »
I, too, am sorry to see this show end. I would leave myself reminders so that I would not miss an episode. I hope Kyra reconsiders her descion to cancel the show. I loved all of the characters and it was exciting to see how the squad went from not liking Brenda to considering the team a family.
My husband and I have watched this show from the start. We have never missed an episode as it is our favorite! We really hate to see this series end! We love ALL the characters and love the fact that none of them ever left the show! I also wish Kyra would rethink leaving and give us a few more years of a truly outstanding show!
This has been one fun show! Really hate to see it go. There is so much more they can do to keep it going! My husband doesn’t usually get hooked on tv series, but he has enjoyed all the charactoers here. Especially Fritz, who he thinks is a saint, for having the patience he shows for Brenda. We wish the best to the cast and crew, but really wish you would stay. (at least for a couple more seasons). You will be missed.
I will miss it sooooooooooooooo much. It was one of the best TV shows along with Monk. Is there anyway the series can continue without Kyra?…..maybe she could become the boss and only show up in some episodes…..make the closer…..one of her many good employees. I wish it wasn’t over.
Bringing “The Closer” to an end is truly a sad. Everyone on the show contributed to it’s success. My husband and I will truly miss this great show, we are sorry to hear it will be ending when so many truly bad shows remain. The best to everyone, please rethink this decision. The “The Closer” will remain on our TiVo season pass!