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After dragging its decision for months, TNT has pulled the plug of drama Leverage four days before the series’ fifth season finale. The news comes two weeks after the series’ executive producer Dean Devlin announced in an open letter to fans that he and co-creator John Rogers decided to end the current Season 5 finale they way they envisioned the series would end — in case there was no Season 6. Leverage, which is independently produced by Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, has been on the bubble the past couple of years but has managed to secure last-minute renewals. The Season 5 finale is set for Christmas, December 25. Here are TNT’s statement and Devlin’s letter on Leverage‘s cancellation:
TNT’s Leverage has thrilled audiences with its delightfully intricate plots, its “stand up for the little guy” attitude and its terrific performances from stars Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. But after five wonderful years, it’s time to say goodbye. Leverage will come to a close on Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 10 p.m., with a series finale that stands as one of the show’s best episodes.
We are honored to have worked with executive producer Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment, creators John Rogers and Chris Downey, and all the cast and production crew on Leverage. We look forward to exploring new opportunities to work with them again in the future. We also want to thank the passionately devoted fans of Leverage, who have been the driving force behind its success.
The Long Goodbye is our final goodbye.
It has been decided today that this Tuesday’s episode of Leverage “The Long Goodbye Job” will be the series finale as TNT has decided not to renew the show for a sixth season.
I want to take the opportunity to thank TNT for five amazing seasons and 77 episodes of a show that has been so good to me. I’m incredibly proud of the show and what we’ve accomplished. Throughout this journey TNT have been the most amazing partners. Their support and collaboration I will cherish forever.
I also want to thank everyone involved in making the show. Tim, Gina, Beth, Christian and Aldis are the finest ensemble of actors I’ve ever worked with. They’ve become our partners, our friends and our family.
The amazing crew who pulled off miracles every day on our show. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed. Your blood and sweat is in every frame of our series and I’m eternally in your debt.
And, of course, on behalf of everyone involved in the show, thank you to all the fans who’ve supported us and the show. You have amazed us all. We love you and thank you all.
I’m so happy we were able to film the series finale we had always envisioned and I’m happy we’re able to present it on Christmas as our gift to you. It’s a bittersweet goodbye.
Gratefully yours,
Dean Devlin
Executive Producer/Director LEVERAGE
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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BooHiss, bad decision, this was a great show with so many good characters and scripts. It will truly be missed.
Oh, please. This show tried to pose as a latter-day Mission Impossible, but it never ever had the substance to do that. The show only worked when it refused to take itself too seriously — as director Jonathan Frakes did during the most recent Toy episode. The jokes and running gags from that episode were Leverage at its best. Too much of Season 5 was Leverage at its worst.
It’s a better modern day Mission Impossible than any of the Tom Cruise movies.
well with changes script ie season5, get back to way things used to be, I could see this show going another 5 yrs if on a network
It was more like The A-Team
who are you again? and you are an expert at what?? go home
This show was very entertaining. Everyone with any kind of brain new it was fiction but beleive me if I had a choice of watching this or throwing up watching any of the kardashians I’ll take this fiction anytime especially because the actors are really talented. I will truely miss this show!!!!
I’ve been a fan of the show since the beginning. It is inituitive, interesting and funny. These are characteristics that most shows these days have no clue about. It takes a level of intelligence to appreciate a show like this, for those who weren’t fans, its your loss.
Great show wish someone else picked it up.
Totally agree this show could easily go on another 5 years. Have taken all new TNT programs off of my DVR and will NEVER watch another new series they present. Most of the ones I did watch (Rizzoli & Eiles, the one with the two young lawyers ((sorry cannot remember the name))and a couple of others we watched are NOT really that good and will no longer watch any of them. I really hope that a more customer pleasing station , like CBS, picks up Leverage soon. Great show, great cast one of my all time favorites. Other than reruns of NCIS, I am done with TNT.
I presume you didn’t watch the show since you thought it was so bad. Then again, you must have watched it to form an opinion; which means it appealed to you more than anything else on network or cable in it’s prime time slot. So, what was your complaint again?
how on earth is leverage in anyway like mission impossible??? have u been watching the same show?
Season 5 had its problems, I’ll grant you, but the show as a whole was great.
And u sound like a d%#* just saying
hey dude, if you say that you don`t know Leverage.
It`s NOT meant to be Mission-Impossible-like series, but a drama-action-fiction series. It`s not only about some guys doing heists like mission impossible, but it`s a drama story, that delivered by some thieves doing heists. And it much more complicate than “some thieves doing heists”.. it just.. it`s much more than that.
our family and friends all loved the 5th season more than the others. more action, more comedy, more everything. I do not like the MI movies never have. They bore me… I hate that this show was cancelled. It was one of the few we watched. All this cancellation did was allowed for more stupid-brainless reality shows. I think Leverage was better than TNT’s network anyway and should be picked up by a company that knows what works and what is worthy of airtime.
I agree with Donna W.and Martha. I too am so sad, my husband and I loved this show, and were truly suprised that it had been cancelled. Darn, darn and darn, and and I second the BooHiss …there are so many shows still running that should have been cancelled eons ago. Sad day.
I have to agree…I discovered Leverage by accident when FX Canada had a free preview. I was intrigued with the stories, the tremendous chemistry amongst the cast and solid writing. It’s a far better show than most of the stuff that passes for TV Action/drama these days. I eagerly purchased each season on DVD as soon as it came out, but alas DVD sales alone does not a great series save (ie. Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Dead Zone)…
I agree it was like a modern-day A-Team with greater scripts, acting and total style. Can’t wait for Season 5 on DVD…so long Leverage, it was great while it lasted. Would have been nice to see a Leverage motion picture…Hint Hint Dean Devlin!!!
I knew something was coming; the mysterious conversation between Hardison and Nate at the end of the first episode when they were in Portland; the several times you could tell that Nate was trying to train the others to be able to lead a job and be able to go off on their own. I knew way back that Nate was planing to leave the crew, I just didn’t know the show was planing to leave too. Anyway, Im so so sad but couldnt be happier that I got to see it end. See it all wrapped up and not have to wonder. I hate when shows get cancelled and they still stick with their originally planned cliffhanger season finale. THANK YOU THANK YOU writers for finishing this 5 year journey PROPERLY
I knew something was up but I was hoping not this, The End. However, if it had to end I am so glad it went out with a bang and more importantly finished. This is only one of two TV series that I can watch over and over (MASH) is the other
). I am sad to see it canceled there are very few light harted, good guy always wins TV shows. Sad to see it go!!! Networks please, if this show must go, replace it with something that puts a smile on your face and makes you have a happy heart. Thank you.
My husband and I loved watching Leverage.We never missed an episode.We’ll miss it.The ending was perfect.
I really enjoyed this show, I wish they would’ve made it to season six, yes some of S-5 eposides were blah, but I taped them all and can contiune to watch them at night, there kinda like my muscle relaxer. One thing I did’nt get why pair off Parker and Hardison, besides the fact that they officially announced it in S-5, what was the point, they never had a lingering kiss, hand holding or even a hello kiss, like Shopie and Nate! Oh and by the way Parker character was great!! Now only if enough fans would request for the show to return, but they won’t, just like they drop the ball on NBC Undercovers, but rallied to bring back oh so did not need to return, The Game. Hey Delvin, can you make aa deal with another network for Leverage to return? I need new esposides and season 5 ending was great you conned your audience-cleaver!
I agree 100 percent. It was a show that I could watch with grandchildren and not have to cover their eyes or skip ahead because of adult situations. There are not too many shows we can watch together and now we have one less. The show was so much fun to watch. I will miss it and so will the kids. Family time just got shorter.
AGREE! this is one of the few shows that we watched as a family as well. I can not believe they cancelled.
This news about Leverage makes me sad! I have enjoyed the show and the cast is great. Sorry to hear this.
why would they cancel leverage?!?!?! everyone loved it and there is to reason to take away such a good show when everyone loves it. my favorite show is gone. wow, thanks tnt.
Thank you for the five seasons and a chance to watch five people who held my interest from one moment to the next. Thank you!
Love this show. Completely entertaining. I was shocked to learned it had been cancelled. Leverage was just plain fun and we are going to miss it in our household.
I too am sad. We could sit with our grandchildren and watch without the worries of bad language or sex sceens. I thank you for the five years of family entertainment. Also boo hiss for cancelling.
Modern Day Mission Impossible huh???? Maybe derivative of BBC show called Hustle but far removed from being even close to Mission Impossible.. TNT was stupid to cancel it. All the best shows get canceled while the asinine shows go on for years.
amen, I got on to leverage from hustle but I found the characters in leverage to be more likable and fun. it was a great show and im sorry to see it go.
I loved this show as well! Boo hoo. Bring it back!!!!
well id like to say thank you to all of the cast and crew from leverage for a great , fun,intelligent, and interesting journey. leverage was one of my two favorite shows on tv (burn notice is the other). they were #1A and #1B. i just hate to see these nonreality reality shows like the bachelor and american karaokee on while they axe intelligent and funny shows. idk i would like to see a eliot,hardison and parker spn off…. u talk about a crazy show lol
This was a great ensemble cast, each one so unique I can’t pick a favorite. I’d rather watch reruns of this than most of what is trying to pass for entertainment.
You were so stupid to cancel this show it was so entertainging and I love the whole cast there are so many stupid shows on that dont.t many any sense lease this one you could watch and get alot of pleasure out of
Why would they cancel such a good show? I loved the cast and the the why they worked together. Not another show like it on TV. What is wrong with these networks? This was one of my favorite shows. I hate that they took it off. Makes you not want to get involved in new shows. They always do this to us. I guess USA and FX is the best station to watch shows. They give most shows a chance and are worth watching. No wander I forget that TNT is still out there!
I’m so sad
one of my favorite shows on tv.
For the devoted fans…Hopefully in the new year, ION Television will bring back the Repeat Mini-Marathons of Leverage
I loved these characters. Fun, twisted and flawed. I hope ION will pick it up!
Wow, no mention from Dean of the creators of the show, John and Chris? No mention of the writers who built the empire and were the lifeblood of the series? Typical feature director mentality.
What a douchebag.
Chill. He already apologized.
First GG, now this:(
Used to look forward to this every summer, first 2 seasons were epic, but its been a slow, gradual decline ever since. Went about a year too long, but looking forward to the grand finale-hope they get pinched, and sent to a maximaum security joint!
boo hiss to you
Disagree vehemently. Show got better and better each season and I am gutted it will be gone. At least your dreadful ending will not happen. Hope you get coal in your stocking.
Sour Grapes to you Buddy!
This show was exciting fun to watch!
I hope against hope they reconsider and keep making new episodes!
I am beyond sad. How could TNT do this? This is the best show on television.
Well TNT you got it wrong AGAIN. The quality writing/directing/acting was the driving force behind the success of Leverage. We fans were lucky enough to have been invited along for the ride.
TNT has screwed up again, canceling a great show
I AGREE TNT, REALLY IS STARTING TO RUIN MY THOUGHTS OF SUPPORTING IT. GEESH, SAVING GRACE, CLOSER, TRUE LIES, WTH? NOW LEVERAGE???????
TNT REALLY SCREWED UP THIS TIME..SAD THING IS THEY REPLACE THEM WITH STUPID SHOWS, THAT ARE BORING AND NOT WORTH WATCHING.
Really a bad move. Seriously, TNT. I thought you guys were smarter than this.
We do NOT need yet another medical show on tv. Good luck with that. Not.
Completely agree. The only show I really followed on TNT besides R&I. Loved the cast and direction. I hope the show finds a home elsewhere.
Definitely a bad move. And I, too, thought the TNT execs were smarter than this. Clearly we gave far more credit than was deserved.
[TNT Execs: "Leverage" was nominated for a People's Choice Award!?! Great! So let's cancel it!]
Brilliant.
We have all of the seasons on DVD, and admittedly, some seasons are better than others, but they all have stand out eps that are fantastic. Living in Portland, where Leverage is filmed, we’ll miss finding places onscreen that we know in the real world. Hats off to the cast and crew for a great run.
Can’t believe they canceled it. Great show…have never missed an episode!
NOOOO!! I was just telling people not to read anything negative in the scheduling tea leaves by it airing on Christmas since Rizzoli & Isles was airing the same night and it was a shoo-in for renewal. I really hope the answer why they moved to Oregon which was mentioned in the first ep of season 5 but never really brought up again all season. Its been bugging me.
This was by far my favorite non-serialized show. Beth has been fantastic the whole series but especially stood out this past season with Parkers development. She had me dying last episode with the cracks about what people are most afraid of. I’ve really enjoyed this series and always keep a few episodes on my iphone to watch whenever I’m stuck in line somewhere. Thanks to the cast and crew. I love heist shows and Leverage past up Hustle as the best ever. Good luck to everyone involved in finding their next gig.
5 years of any series is a pretty good run to me. I hate it when shows continue to get renewed but are creatively dying.
Sad. But the fact the show got 5 years out of TNT is amazing. Michael Wright is a known Star Fucker, and this cancelation is due more to his latest star bang (check the names attached to upcoming shows) than the actual ratings.
Leverage was a very well written (and even better structured) show hiding inside the clothing of a basic cable yawner. I applaud the writing and acting on this series; constructing these intricate cons and heists every week along with dropping in some very strong character arcs, all with five (FIVE!!!) actors being given enough each week to work their craft.
Well done.
I love this show. I’d come home from work, kick off my shoes and pull up my DVR’d shows… Leverage was always go-to first off. It was really solid entertainment that had just the right mix of humor and intrigue without being too heavy. I loved it for that. And I grew to love each one of the characters and their intertwining relationships. I hate to see this show end nearly as much as I hated to see Hustle end. I hope the finale won’t break my heart. I dream of this crew staying together forever.
Seriously bummed about this. Loved the show so much. So wrong, TNT, so wrong.
You can put a cast together, but you can not force chemistry. These guys have it! It is also a show that I watch every week with my mom and my daughter. It’s magic. Please reconsider. In a sea of reality shows, I was rescued a few years ago by leverage. At first it was compared to Ocean’s Eleven ( which I Love), but then it gained a life of it’s own. There’s nothing out there that even compares to Leverage. Please let us have our team for a while longer.
Didn’t realize this was the finale. WHY do they always take off the good shows? There was still much more that could have been done with this fantastic cast.
I agree. Lets us see this a little longer. I’m very disappointed seeng
that it was over. Like the Closer I’m actually hurt. Something I look
forward to every week. I would record if I wasn’t going to be home.
Please reconsider!!!!!
This show got more bang for its buck than anything else on TV. It consistently looked like shows that had half a million or more per episode than LEVERAGE.
Congrats to Dean Devlin for bringing his scope and cinematic eye to basic cable. Let’s hope he stays around and does more. And if John Rogers works with him, I’m sure they’d get another five years or more out of something.
Guess ION didn’t want to order a Sixth Season?
yeah i was thinking about that to,i thought maybe they could even add it to the qubo night owl (a kids thing ION runs)but i guess not. Thats really too bad i loved that show.
I don’t know, i love and will miss this show, i have been waiting to watch the second half of the season so i don’t really know what note their ending on, knowing the show i imagine that it is incredible, but its always better to end on a high note than drag it out for a season or two that it shouldn’t have.
Good God! They leave crap like Franklin & Bash on but cancel Leverage? Wow, stupidity runs amok at TNT, doesn’t it? Leverage was a quality show and highly entertaining. TNT totally failed the show by not even publicizing it’s return this last time or even showing them any PR work. I’ve seen Franklin & Bash’s smug, stupid ads all over the place in the beginning of the summer. Leverage hardly at all. TNT, you suck.
I’m with you. Total sabotage of a wonderful, magical, well-crafted show, with smart, well-layered scripts, and an ensemble cast I fell in love with. Bah Humbug TNT! Leverage was a gem that had five successful years in spite of your lack of support and your constant promotion of the inane paste product shows that comprise the rest of your roster.
I totally agree about Franklin and Bash. When will network television figure out that “grown” people like TV that makes them think. Leverage had a fine razor’s edge of comedy even with their darkest drama that made them so appealing. Is there a save Leverage campaign that I can join? “TNT IS DRAMA” Ha!!
I have watched Leverage from the very start.And the fact you are taking it off tnt.And not renewing the series.But you have no problem having a half wit show about lawyers .How in your world.Do you treat the fans that support the show wholeheartedly.Never did we not follow and support this show and the actors who were in it.Anything and everything they were in I watched. I was a loyal fan of tnt.Now i will no longer watch it.I will watch ion.
Or which ever channel the actors show up on.I watched tnt all day long had it on just to get a glimpse of the next show.Now their is no reason for me and my family to watch this channel.
Tnt this is a very bad move. Quality show writers cast and everything… if this gets a show cancelled what is ever great enough?
I am sorry to hear that but admittedly I cooled on the show this season. It seemed to run out of steam a bit and it was hard to sit and watch without that dynamic of the earlier seasons. It had been edge of seat before and it just wasn’t quite there – and the tongue in cheek sarcasm was missing. Thanks. It was great while it lasted, and I was thrilled to enjoy all their antics. Loved everyone in this, a dynamite cast.
Nooooo, I am devastated. Dangit, TNT, why you do this? Leverage has been so consistently great… and in an era where someone needs to stand up for the little guy. ;_;
Another good show gone. One of my top 5 shows. Let’s not put another reality show on. Have enough of that junk. I liked the concept of the show. Good over evil. That was probably the problem.
The biggest problem is that they move these Great shows around to try to save bad time SLOTS in there rating wars. That don’t work look at CSI MIAMi CBS moves it to Sunday and replace it with maybe one of the stupidest remakes ever Hawaii 5 O. That show sucks and is only still on cause people watching Monday night comedies have fallen asleep with the channel still on. Networks wake up stop moving good shows around the time slot that us fans have made successful. I would bet my life that if CBS for example ran CSI again in there old time slot it would stomp a mud hole in 5 O’s butt. Same as Leverage would out rate any show in a good time slot. TNT put the show on life support the minute they moved it to Sunday night. WAKEUP read the responses from your viewers, They loved this show. Admit that you made a mistake and bring it back before your loyal fans start turning the remote control button to find a network that is as loyal to there viewers as there viewers are to network.
So sad to see it go. There were many more stories left to tell, not to mention teasers into characters backgrounds that will never be explored. I will be watching Christmas. Let’s hope it is really done right.