TNT Announces Final Season of 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.  

About TNT

TNT, one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama.  Seen in 100.4 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula; and Southland, from Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER); as well as the upcoming Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle, and Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA men's basketball tournament.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Visit our press site at news.turner.com.  Follow TNT on Twitter @tntweknowdrama

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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