TNT renews 'The Closer,' 'Rizzoli & Isles' and 'Leverage'

The three dramas will all launch new seasons in 2011

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, Jul 30, 2010 4:56 PM

Kyra Sedgwick of 'The Closer'

Credit: TNT

In one fell swoop, TNT has renewed the foundation of its original programming schedule.

On Friday (July 30), TNT ordered a seventh season of "The Closer," a fourth season of "Leverage" and a second season of the new drama hit "Rizzoli & Isles."

All three shows are currently airing and will premiere their new seasons in 2011. The order is for 15 episodes of "Leverage" and "The Closer" and 13 episodes of "Rizzoli & Isles."

"TNT has enjoyed tremendous success on Sunday and Monday nights with 'Leverage,' 'The Closer' and 'Rizzoli & Isles,'" states Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies. "All three shows feature terrific casts, sharp writing and top-notch production teams. We look forward to continued success with new seasons in 2011."

"The Closer," featuring perennial Emmy nominee Kyra Sedgwick, is being called "ad-supported cable's No. 1 series of all time." With an average viewership of 7.1 million, "The Closer" is up 7 percent over last season.

Thanks in large part to its "Closer" lead-in, "Rizzoli & Isles" is cable's top new series for the year-to-date, averaging 7.1 million viewers. The series stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander playing characters created by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen.

Featuring an ensemble led by Timothy Hutton, "Leverage" isn't as big a hit as the other two shows, but it boasts an average audience of 4.1 million viewers and gets a fairly large boost from time-shifted numbers.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.