TNT announces final season of The Closer

[News_Editor]

TNT announces final season of The Closer

2010-12-11 08:17:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (BNO NEW) — Turner Entertainment Networks TNT on Friday announced that its long-running, breakout hit The Closer will wrap up its successful 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. Besides playing the leading role of Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, she has also been co-executive producer for 20 episodes.

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.

"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 TNT.  

"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," Koonin added.

The TV series is currently in the midst of concluding its sixth season, and in the 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 the current year, both series averaged more than 8 million viewers, marking a first for a basic cable network. In addition, The Closer kept up the pace by growing its deliveries compared to season five.  

"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," Sedgwick added.

The Closer, which made its debut on TNT in 2005, is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The series was created by Duff, who serves as executive producer with Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, Rick Wallace and Sedgwick.  

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