TNT Considering Options for Extending The Closer

Just a month ago, TNT announced that its popular crime drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick, would come to an end after its upcoming 7th season.

Now Deadline|Hollywood is reporting that the cable network is seeking ways of extending the series' run.

One way would be to simply add to the order for the 7th season, from its current 15 episodes to 21. Of course it would be preferable if Sedgwick were to agree to the extension, but the producers are apparently willing to write scripts around her character, if necessary.

Another alternative would be to craft a spin-off to the series, something TNT considered back in 2008 with a show called The Fixer. It was probably too early then, but the timing may be right now. The additional six episodes contemplated for this season could potentially serve as a transition into a new series without Sedgwick.

Production for the currently planned 15-episode final season of The Closer begins this spring with new episodes to begin airing this summer.