"BONES: THE FINAL CHAPTER" TO PREMIERE TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, ON FOX

Final 12 Episodes to Feature Special Surprises, Including the Return of Fan-Favorite Characters, as Countdown to Finale Begins

The final chapter of BONES, the long-running series beloved by millions of fans around the world, will premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 3 (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT), on FOX. The 12-episode run will celebrate the inventive series and bring the storylines of Brennan (Emily Deschanel), Booth (David Boreanaz) and the Jeffersonian-FBI team to a close, allowing the show's loyal fans to say goodbye to these indelible characters. Throughout the final chapter, fans will see the return of fan-favorite guest stars and squinterns, as well as an old flame from one of the team's past. Fans also will experience a wedding, follow an epic serial killer storyline, go undercover in a lumberjack competition and see Booth and Brennan's marriage get put to the test. As always, new guest stars will be introduced, as well as a final round of gory murders, from which brand-new investigations will arise.

"From the very first season, BONES was called 'The Little Engine That Could.' So we could not be prouder of ending up as FOX's longest-running scripted drama," said creator and executive producer Hart Hanson. "And we got there because of an insanely loyal, loud, lovely, lively audience."

"We've loved working on BONES and are so excited to bring our fans this final season," said executive producers and showrunners Jonathan Collier and Michael Peterson. "After 12 years on the air, it's an honor to be able to write the exciting and meaningful ending, which the show deserves."

"Working with Hart Hanson, the BONES writing staff, Kathy Reichs, our cast and crew and especially Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz has been the most rewarding experience over the past 12 seasons," added executive producer Barry Josephson. "I know all will have continued great success!"

"A show this beloved by fans worldwide deserves a proper send-off, and that is just what we intend to do," said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "These final 12 episodes will wrap up storylines and bid farewell to characters who have become part of the fabric of popular culture. Once again, we'd like to thank David, Emily and the entire BONES cast, as well as Hart, Stephen Nathan, Barry Josephson, and this season's showrunners, Michael Peterson and Jonathan Collier. In the pantheon of FOX series, BONES has carved out a unique place for 12 incredible seasons, and we couldn't be more grateful for its continued success over the course of this past decade."

Throughout the series, Brennan has devoted herself to her career, to Booth, with whom she has two children, and to her team at the Jeffersonian. They include best friend Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin), an artist who specializes in reconstructing facial features and crime scenes; Angela's husband, Dr. Jack Hodgins (TJ Thyne), a conspiracy theorist and expert on insects, spores and minerals, who is affectionately known as "the slime and bug guy"; Dr. Camille "Cam" Saroyan (Tamara Taylor), the street-smart and centered coroner; and Booth's most recent colleague at the FBI, Special Agent James Aubrey (John Boyd), a young, intrepid agent with a voracious appetite for solving crime, junk food and career advancement.

BONES is from Far Field Productions and Josephson Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series was created by Hart Hanson. Hanson, Barry Josephson, Stephen Nathan, Randy Zisk, Jonathan Collier and Michael Peterson are executive producers. "Like" BONES on Facebook at facebook.com/Bones. Follow the series on Twitter @BONESonFox and join the discussion at #Bones. See photos and videos on Instagram @bonesfox.