TNT Renews Two Hit Series: SAVING GRACE and RAISING THE BAR
Acclaimed Drama Series Slated for New Seasons after Strong Performances on TNT
TNT has renewed two hit drama series � SAVING GRACE and RAISING THE BAR � for new seasons after both shows recently scored outstanding deliveries for the network, according to an announcement today by Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TNT, TBS and TCM.
TNT's provocative series SAVING GRACE stars Oscar� winner Holly Hunter. The drama centers on a forceful Oklahoma City police detective with a fiery spirit and audacious life. SAVING GRACE co-stars Leon Rippy, Kenneth Johnson, Bailey Chase, Bokeem Woodbine, Gregory Cruz and Dylan Minnette, with Lorraine Toussaint and Laura San Giacomo.
"In SAVING GRACE, Holly Hunter and creator Nancy Miller have fashioned one of television's most complex and compelling characters," Wright said. "Few series on television are as daring as this one, and we're thrilled to be welcoming it back for another outstanding season."
"We are proud to continue our relationship with TNT and grateful for their gracious (pun intended) support," said David Madden, executive vice president of programming for Fox Television Studios. "This is a remarkable series with an extraordinary group of talented people making it, and we look forward to a long life."
SAVING GRACE, which averaged 4.4 million viewers this summer, comes to TNT from Fox Television Studios and creator Nancy Miller. Miller also serves as executive producer on the series, along with Gary A. Randall, Artie Mandelberg and Holly Hunter. SAVING GRACE is set to complete its second season in early 2009, with the 15-episode third season slated to begin later in the year.
RAISING THE BAR, currently airing on TNT Mondays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek and was created by 10-time Emmy�-winning executive producer Steven Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige. The series follows the lives and cases of young lawyers who work on opposite sides � the public defender's office and the district attorney's office � as well as those who sit in judgment on their cases. Currie Graham, Melissa Sagemiller, J. August Richards, Jonathan Scarfe, Teddy Sears and Natalia Cigliuti co-star.
"Before RAISING THE BAR debuted, we were confident that the series would be a strong addition to TNT," Wright said. "The series, however, has gone beyond our expectations. What has been most satisfying to us is to watch the creative growth of the show across the episodes and to see these characters and stories pay-off as the season progresses. It was an easy decision to bring back RAISING THE BAR for a second season and to continue our great relationship with Steven Bochco and the entire cast and crew."
"TNT has done a tremendous job marketing and launching this solid hit from Steven Bochco," said Mark Pedowitz, president of ABC Studios. "We are thrilled to continue this collaboration and the studio's expansion into production for cable."
RAISING THE BAR recently set a record for ad-supported cable's largest audience ever (7.7 million viewers) for a new series launch. After three episodes, it is averaging 5.5 million viewers, ranking it as ad-supported cable's top new series for the year-to-date. It comes to TNT from ABC Studios. Bochco serves as executive producer, with Jesse Bochco as co-executive producer and Feige as supervising producer. After completing its first season in November, the series will return next year with a 15-episode second season.
Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama and one of cable's top-rated networks, offers original series, including the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; Raising the Bar, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Trust Me, with Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Bones, Cold Case, Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards�; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
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