Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson’s days at the Los Angeles Police Department are numbered. TNT announced that its tentpole crime drama The Closer will come to a close after its seventh season, scheduled to premiere next fall and conclude in the early 2012.
According to the announcement, the final decision came down to none other than Kyra Sedgwick, who has a producer credit for the series in addition to the lead role.
The Closer has been a critical and ratings success for TNT, ever since its debut in 2005. Its impressive mix of cop show action and character development allows it to reach across the gender gap, consistently setting viewership records for TNT and cable shows in general. Sedwick’s portrayal of Brenda Johnson has earned her dozens of TV award nominations and an Emmy win in 2007. She was quoted in the network’s statement:
“I cannot fathom how difficult it will be to say goodbye to the incredible family we’ve created on The Closer… 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 show has distinguished itself in a field crowded with paint-by-numbers crime procedurals. While it doesn’t stray too far from the heart of similar cop shows like Law & Order: SVU, the real draw has been the series’ focus on its ensemble of characters. The pilot episode established Johnson as both a feminine fish-out-of-water transferring from the Atlanta Police Department to LA, and a hold-no-punches grande dame in investigations and interrogations.
Johnson’s relationship with her high-profile investigative squad and Assistant Chief Pope (played by J.K. Simmons of Spider-Man and Law & Order fame) receive almost as much attention as the prerequisite murder of the week. Other highlights include series-long love interest, FBI agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney, to be seen in Green Lantern), and on-again, off-again antagonist Captain Raynor (Mary McDonnell, Battlestar Galactica).
As a big fan of the series, I’m happy to hear that it’s ending. That may sound strange, but hear me out: too many great shows are either canned prematurely (Terriers and Lone Star were some lamentable casualties this year) or forced to go on long past their peak until they stagnate. Scrubs, Stargate SG-1 and Law & Order: SVU all fall into this category, in my opinion, having become pale imitations of what made the shows great in their best seasons, usually the third or fourth.
I’m always pleased when producers realize that their show has had an excellent run and choose to end on a high note on their own terms. Lost and Battlestar Galactica probably could have continued for at least three more seasons each, but instead wrapped up and delivered complete, satisfying series (though the Lost finale is certainly debatable). I applaud TNT and Kyra Sedgwick for having the foresight and decisiveness to give a great show a proper conclusion.
-
The Closer is currently wrapping up its sixth season, and airs Mondays at 9 on TNT.
![Fall TV 2013: 10 Best New Shows [Trailers]](http://static.srcdn.com/slir/w87-h65-c1.33:1/http://screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/abc-fall-previews-shield.jpg)
‘Pacific Rim’ Featurette Explores ‘Drift Space’; First TV Spot Offers More Action 
AMC Says ‘The Walking Dead’ Will Still Be Around in 2022 
‘Man of Steel’ Star Wants A Batman/Superman Teamup Movie 
Fall TV 2013: The 10 Best New Shows [Trailers] 
Pleaseeeee reconsider this show is only one of a handful of shows that are both entertaining and clean that does not depend on profanity and sex to be one of the most entertaining shows. Please come back
I am begging you to reconsider closing!!! My husband and Kids and I really enjoy this show, we don’t agree on much. We argue on other programs on other days of the week, but I (we) look forward to Mondays with The Closer, it’s original story line keeps us all entertained. (56 down to 15). Brenda Lieghs character has many faces, she gets revenge when the law doesn’t agree with her, she looks at the situations in a different light, and comes up with the answer. Please this is one of my very favorite shows , I’m disabled, so I can’t do much, but I know on Mondays I get to watch the closer. I really look forwards to this program!!!!!!! There isn’t another show that is entertaining, fun, realistic, your family has became part of my family. Please stay on!!! I am watching old shows everyday on TNT.
I really hate that “The Closer” will be ending soon. It is the ONLY series that I consistently watch – as I usually don’t enjoy them; but there is something different about this one.
I will really miss the characters…I love them all! I know the decision has been made to end the show; however, I wanted to let producers and actors know how the show has been appreciated by me over the years as really great entertainment. It is a rarity that you find a show with so many qualities. I wish the best of luck to all of the actors and writers. Thank you for creating “The Closer”.
I own every season that has been published so far, and I have watched them so many times (during The Closer’s off-season) that I can probably act them out myself.
I am really sad this is ending. The cast works so well together that I have to watch all the reruns even if I have seen them 3 times each. I understand it might be time to move on, but it is one of few shows that are great in my book. Monday nights will not be the same. They didn’t have enough shows on a it was,I thought. I could watch it everyday. Everyone is so believable.It is a real shame. Come back closer!!!!!
This is one program my husband and I will miss, it is fun and clean, without the profanity, sex, blood and gore. We never know where they’re going next and the cast works together so great. I do wish you would put the names with the pictures like most shows do. We’ve pretty well figured out who is who,(in real life), but we live on the backside of the outback. we don’t even get a newspaper that’s new, it’s always a day late! We understand leaving on a high note, but are they going to do something else? Can the writers come up with something as good as this has been? Even the kids can watch this without censorship. If you have to take it away from us, please come up with something as good or even better, which is going to be Very hard if not Impossible. Please tell everyone connected with this show a big THANK YOU and we’re really sorry to see you go. God Bless and Break a Leg!
Do you think that the whole cast and crew could do special shows a couple of times a year. I am sure everyone would love to see that happen. Thanks for 7 years.
I do not want this to end. The only show I watch in first run AND re-runs, and entertained so well. My pleasure in waiting for new episodes and, and TVO the rest, well what more can I say. Kyra has to move on I suppose, but renewed series for The CLOSER would be better. I respect her and her talent, and family life. Thank you. DON’T quit, please.
I thought the point was to keep the shows that had huge viewer followings. Am i misunderstanding? Like others I have several folks that my house to see the show.
I love The Closer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am surely going to miss it.
We dvr every episode and enjoy each and everyone!!! So sad to hear the Closer is coming to an end. It would be wonderful if your cast could do a special every now and then.
Everyone has such a wonderful personality. We enjoyed your sence of humor. Each and everyone will be surely missed. Good Luck to each and every one of you!!!!!!
Brenda is almost a member of our family. Being a Southern woman, I appreciate the way she has developed her character – strong yet feminine and smart. I will miss her! I have recorded all the shows and will re-watch them over and over.
Lioness
Acworth, Ga
I love The Closer. It is smart, funny, has a moral base, believe it or not, which is lacking in so many of the shows today. Please please reconsider, we are going to be plagued with ‘The Jersey Shore’ shows.
The only great show on TV. I find myself watching reruns as to the major line-ups. pleeeeeeze reconsider.
DANG IT….I JUST STARTED WATCHING THIS SHOW LATE AT NIGHT IN RERUNS….HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT TIL THEN….I ALSO NEVER WATCHED THE GOLDEN GIRLS OR EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMON….WHILE TY WERE STILL IN PRODUCTION….WELL AT LEAST THERE IS STILL 6 SEASONS OF “BRENDA” THT I HAVE NOT SEEN YET….LOL
What did you just get out of prison or something?…
Please do not leave us, Kyra. The only TV show we watch is ‘The Closer’.
My children use their manners by saying please thank yew. This is no joke, nor for amusement, unlike Lt. Provenza. My children, ages 3, 5, and baby Fritz (yes, we call him Fritz from ‘The Closer’) His complete name is Fitzgerald, but we call him Fritz for now. He is only 3 months old.
There is not any show that will be able to replace ‘The Closer’. Please don’t go off. My family loves you. Thank yew.
I have watched this show from the beginning,and now even the reruns on tnt Please do not go off I always look forward to see how she will treat the next case,plus. Brenda has a way of doing the cases,plus I liked the episode too where she hugged the segreant and told him that is only one of him, I think that the way she treated her squad is really special.
they always take the real good shows,pleeeeeaaa do not go off the air
she there any way that you could change your minds and stay on mondays nights, I really forward to that night of the week because of this show.
PLEASE DO NOT GO OFF,your fans want you to stay,please,please,please
PLEASE to NOT take this Tv Show of the air. I have really enjoyed every episode of this Tv Show. It is with one of the best shows on the air.
My husband & I want you all to know how much we have laughed, cried, clapped out loud as you all have drawn us in as if The Closer was real as real can get. We have enjoyed you all so much. We will miss you more than you know. You ARE the BEST show on tv. We pray that whatever the future holds for each & every one of you will be prosperous, fun, & amazingly successful beyond your wildest dreams. Forget about those of us that do not want you to leave. Alot of times the best times lay ahead of you. May each of you reach your goals & lifes highest expectations. We will be rooting for YOU! We also know as actors, when you started this show, we knew many of you already from your previous movies. You have & will not go unnoticed. Thank-You for a show that we always looked forward to.
I miss The Closer, the cast, the writing… all of it. Nothing on TV like it right now. Wish Kyra and the rest of the Priority Homicide group would come back home to TV stations across the globe.
Still watching the reruns… pvr and repeat watching…
how are we going to go on without THE CLOSER??? i will miss it terribly!
i always watch it at noon, i never get tired of it!!
i am looking forward to the new ones. i hope she finally gets the one that got away.
i really don’t think this needs to be the end!
thanks donna winder
What is with the music, that background music, plays all through the show! Drive me nuts, distracts from the show, makes it hard to hear and understand the dialog. So many shows do this. LAW AND ORDER IS THE WORST, and I stopped watching them because of it. Now, as much as I love The Closer, I’m going to put them at the bottom of my priority list for watching. What is with you Producers or Dircetors? Do you hear music in your head all day long when talking with people, are you all Mozarts? Is your life full of music? Stop with the music, make the show more realistic without the music. Especially that dramic mood music one listens to when trying to relax and go to sleep. STOP THE MUSIC!
Brenda, please reconsider . You have the best show on Tv, and their aren’t many worth watching.
OMG will it never end?? Everytime I find a T.V. show that my son and I bond over and that I find I can’t live without, someone at television central in their infinite wisdom, decides to CANCEL IT!!!!!!! Why??????? Anyway I’ll surely miss this show. Hopefully someone will come to their senses and find a way to take pity on us closerites. THANK YEWWWWWW!!!
PlEASE, PLEASE DO NOT END THIS SERIES “THE CLOSER” BADLY — KEEP ALL
OF OUR PEOPLE INTACT AND WELL SO WE CAN CONTINUE WATCHING THEM AND
LOVING THEM OVER AND OVER !!!!!!! IF YOU KILL OFF ANY OF THE
CHARACTERS WE CAN NEVER WATCH RE-RUNS!!!! A HAPPY ENDING PLEASE!!!!!!
BETTER YET….DON’T END THE SERIES!
SIMONE
Please don’t end this show one of the best shows, I even watch the reruns everyday.PLEASE DON”T END I loke everyone on the show, what an awesome family..
I have truly enjoyed this show aand hate to see it go. I hope that Brenda will remain the strong character that she is, all the way to the end of the show. I have enjoyed every character and look forward to seeing these actors on other shows. Good luck to you all!
I can’t believe you are ending the only show on TV worth watching. What a shame.
I cannot believe that the show is ending! My husband, teenage son and I love this show. The characters blend so well together! This is one of the best shows on TV. We can’t stand all the reality garbage that is on almost every channel. PLEASE reconsider and keep this show on!!!
I AM A HUGE FAN OF CLOSER. THIS IS A PREMIER TV SERIES AND IT WILL SURELY BE MISSED. HOPEFULLY THEY MAY CHANGE THEIR MINDS AND CONTINUE.
I love this show. Maybe you could continue with Brenda being Chief of Police, and having to solve a few crime a year, say four or five. She could be promoted but still use the her old squad to solve crimes no one else can. It’s a thought
I too love The Closer and will truly miss it when the final installment is aired. Not too much “new” on TV so it will be a bare spot.