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.
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The Closer is currently wrapping up its sixth season, and airs Mondays at 9 on TNT.
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I too will truly miss The Closer, one of the few “new” shows I enjoy. I watch old re-runs of Law & Order, CSI and NCIS, but The Closer….well thanks for the hours of good entertainment.
Hard to believe this show had even one fan, let alone enough to make it popular. I find it sad that everybody writing here is sad…why are your values so misplaced?
Even worse u cared to comment at all on this if the show was as bad as u state in ur OPINION
What planet are you from? What have you seen one or two episodes? It’s called entertainment…Guess you’re too “young” to understand!
My Monday nights will never be the same….I truly love this show and the cast is awesome…..I hope it goes on and on in re-runs…I need my weekly “fix” of one of the greatest casts ever put together……..so sad that the show is ending, but Kyra Sedgwick is smart to end this series on a high note…and let’s not forget that she does have a fabulous husband and family…she deserves to spend time with them…One note: I had always wished that Kevin Bacon would have guest-starred on the show…..Good luck with your future Kyra….maybe you will develop another terrific show some time…….
This can’t be happening!!!!! Final Season?? No!!! “The Closer” is just the best show on Television—You can’t be closing it for this reason—So, I guest that you are trying to spoil my nights. Please re-consider!!
Thank you to the best TV cast ever. In my 60 years this is one of the best shows ever produced. What a great fit the cast are. My wife and I will truly miss this show when it leaves us. P.S. Nothing bad better happen in the epiosode to Chief Brenda Lee. Love all you guys and thank you for a great show and for keeping it clean.
So sorry that it will soon be over. I hope the cast will appear on other shows in the future.
I have loved The Closer from the very first episode. I don’t understand why a quality show like this one is ending, but I will miss it. Thank-you cast of the closer and especially Kyra for the entertainment that you have given to me. I was hoping that TNT or the cast would change their minds and go on for a long time, but I see from the announcements that it is coming to an end. I will forever be a huge fan of your show.
This can not be happening. I love all the cast and it is so much humor and sincerity in the show. I looked forward to Monday night waiting for The Closer to start. I do not what do on Monday after it ends. I hope they will come back in a couple of years and have a reunion with the original cast.
This can not be happening. I love all the cast and it is so much humor and sincerity in the show. I looked forward to Monday night waiting for The Closer to start. I do not what do on Monday after it ends. I hope they will come back in a couple of years and have a reunion with the original cast
Happy Birthday Corey on July 3. from woodardmelody@mail.com
Happy Birthday Corey on July 3. from woodardmelody@ymail.com
I searched the web hoping the show would continue. Please reconsider! Hubby and I loved all the humor! From brenda lee in Canada
I am seriously distraught, over the fact that the CLOSER is leaving, not for a break, but forever. There are a handful of shows that I enjoy: Closer, Castle and yet for some reason good acting and great writing seems to be lost in this world of Cyclic Pilots that have nothing to offer but BOMBs. Personally I loved Kyra, but now I am very angry. Her cast, her writers delivered and “SHE” decides it’s time? Really? Thank you for not caring about those who cared, who watched, who finally found a great TV show in the mire of the insane and ridiculous.
Dear Pegs, I’m sorry you’re sad. I am sad too. But, I understand that doing the same job for 7 years can be very hard, and that Kyra Sedgewick may need a break. You know, of course, that the show will be followed up by “Major Crimes” with Mary McDonnell in the lead role (Captain Raydor). I believe the rest of the cast will remain. It made me sad to see you be so bitter to an actress and character we have grown to love.
I understand what your article is saying, but I dont agree- I think it could have gone ONE more season. It is leaving in the middle of a climax… But what do I know, Guess that is the point. Kyra has been my role model in this role- the southern sweetness- we must pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and put a big smile on our faces- backed by the strong southern women who will not put up with anything from anyone- like most of us southern women are down here. Dont mess around with us.
The entire cast has done a great job and the writers with the role development. What a show and what a team. You will be missed. I dont know what I will do without this show either!
I REALLY ENJOYED THE “CLOSER” AND I CANT BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ENDING THE SHOW. PLEASE KEEP THE SHOW ON THE AIR AND KEEP IT ON ONE SPECIFIC DAY AND HOUR. WHY? BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP AND TO UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE SHOW MOVING IT AROUND LIKE THE “MENTALIST AND COLD CASE
If she (Kyra S) doesn’t want to continue the show; fine. There are other fine actors around who could easily replace her. It would be difficult to replace her horrible southern accent, but she could leave, still produce the show, make money and the cast could go on instead of being put at her whim to shut down……was that ever thought of?
Some one wrote about Kyra being selfish, so as an FYI UPDATE: There is A NEW SHOW tht IS ALREADY IN EFFECT. It’s name is “MAJOR CRIMES” From what I understand, all of the cast is in tact but Kyra.
Hat’s off to her for her great show, great and successful run and for creating the Character of Brenda Lee.
The Closer could be one of my all time favorite shows. Especially since the addition of Captain Rader. I understand Kyra Sedgwick wanting to end the series on a high note. But I am rather disappointed to watch a show for 7 years and the series finale is 6 episodes and we had to wait 6 months for them. It would have been nice to end the show with a full season. As a faithful viewer I feel cheated.
I love The Closer but the fact they are trying to bring it back with MARY MCDONNELL- Captain Sharon Raydor replacing the Top Female lead of group leaves me cold. I doubt I will be a fan as I really didn’t connect to her at all on the original show
I am so sorry to see this show end. It has been an incredible journey and I have loved every second watching this team grow. There is not even 1 episode that have ever watched that did not leaving me wanting more. And the wait… the wait between seasons was sometimes just too much to bear. Seriously a spectacular display of creativity, real-life politics in the work force, and the comedy was unforgettable. One of my favorite lines in this show was from when Chief Johnson’s dad had a heart attack. He was trying to watch television, and it was all snow. And he says ” it looks like the arctic!” with that accent and his attitude, my God I laughed for days thinking about it. Provenza and Flynn… need I say more? Lt. Tao… incredible talent went into playing that character. Truly an unbelievable cast. Kyra best wishes to you and thank you so much for bringing this show to our lives. You will be missed.
Thank you to all at The Closer. I will miss you Kyra, but thank you for bringing the cast and crew back with Mary McDonnell as the lead. I will stay tuned.
I and my family are so sad to see The Closer is ending. We think Brenda Leigh and the cast are brilliant. We understand the decision to end on a high though. Hopefully the new show will be just as good, as there is too much rubbish on TV these days. Good luck to Kyra in her future ventures. From Ann in England.
So sad that you are making Kyra look so bad. Is this just because she didn’t want to continue the show? I think you could have ended it without making her look so bad. Very disappointed in the two shows I’ve seen this season. It’s like leaving a black mark on a good show. Shame on you.
Does. Fritz get killed
Spinoff coming upIf Fritz does get killed I really think that sucks especially will the
I have to say that my husband and I have enjoyed every show that we have seen during the day. We look forward to seeing her at 2:00 in the afternoon and the show makes us sit down. Kyra is an excellent actress and we wish her the best and all the cast as well. What a good show…..We will miss you so much.
Enjoy your family Kyra – that does come first in life…….Believe it or not I have never submitted to any other show and I have been around for a long long time.
I watched it and enjoyed it with my ex-husband, and now I watch and enjoy it with my new fiancé! Lol. I got him into it and he loves it and we watch the reruns together during the day when we can and we watch all the new episodes, of course, each week, trying to solve the mystery, arguing over who we think the leak is. I will truly miss this show. I am not a big TV person. I hardly watch at all, but The Closer compels me to actually turn the TV on once in awhile! Kyra is a wonderful actor, and The Closer has a pleasant mix of mystery, humor, and even a little romance. It’s clean, and I don’t worry if my kids walk in while I am watching. The way programming is nowadays, I sometimes wouldn’t want my kids to accidentally see some of the commercials on the air!! Anyway, I will really miss The Closer!
My husband and I will truly miss The Closer. Chief Johnson is a great actor and we love watching the show together.
Hopefully it will start up again in near future. (I hope so.)
I first came upon “Closer” while surfing the internet & I was hooked.
Loved every 7 episodes. I couldn’t believe it was going off the air
when I heard about it. It is a rushed nonsensible closing to a great
“Closer”. It had a great deal more life. Kyra and the entire unit
was the best. I’ve never cared for Capt. Rayder when she came on the scene. She was characterized as an adversary of the Chief. I hated
her! And WILL NOT watch the run-off: Major Crimes show with her in the lead role.
I wish Kyra Sedqwick the best in any future endeavor. She’s great!
I would put this program in the top five of the worst police shows I have ever seen. The lady chief (rubber lips as I call her) is one of the stupidest police officer I have seen on TV 9I heard the lady captain tell her she got her job by sleeping with the people above her) if that’s true then they must have been hard up.
First I cannot stand a program where the lead player has not respect for the people who they work for; she is one of the worst ever. She had not respect for the law. She thinks she is the best thing since sliced bread (well the bread is all motley).
Too top it off her had the bottom of the police working for her except for the black guy and Mexican guy. The rest don’t have a clue as to what they are doing. What get me is they can’t do a thing without her being there; she must not have any leadership skill at all.
If I was the guy who was married to her I would have left the church before I got there. What is this crap with the hats and hand bags, she looks like a street walker.
If the show that replaces has her and the crew that is on the show now I will not watch it at all. By the way I have never watched one of the shows all the way through yet I watch bits and pieces of it; but I will watch the last one to see what they do with her. Her mother wanted to talk to her but she was so busy with her walk she couldn’t stop now her mother is dead, if she is she is better off than putting up with her as her stupid daughter.