TNT’s all-new drama series Major Crimes is ready to take television’s favorite squad of detectives into bold new territory. Two-time Oscar® nominee Mary McDonnell stars in the series, continuing her Emmy-nominated role from The Closer. Joining her are fellow Closer veterans G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz and Phillip P. Keene, along with guest stars Robert Gossett and Jon Tenney. The series also stars Graham Patrick Martin as a homeless juvenile whose character will be introduced in the final episode of The Closer, and Kearran Giovanni as Detective Amy Sykes, an ambitious undercover police detective and military veteran who served in Afghanistan.
Major Crimes premiered Monday, Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), immediately following The Closer’s series finale. The show then moved to its regular Monday 9 p.m. (ET/PT) timeslot.
As the new series opens, the detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes division are still reeling from the departure of Brenda Leigh Johnson and the realization that Captain Raydor is now in charge. Unlike their previous chief, Raydor is determined to lead the department with a more team-oriented approach, sharing the credit with the people with whom she works. Raydor’s hardest job, however, will be gaining the full trust and confidence of her detectives, who aren’t quick to forget her long history of internal investigations targeting them and their previous boss. Especially troublesome is Provenza, who has a difficult time taking orders from someone he doesn’t think knows as much as he does.
“Major Crimes will feel very comfortable to fans of The Closer,” says executive producer and creator James Duff. “We are not only keeping many of the same cast members but also shooting and editing the show in much the same way. And there will still be a lot of that great banter between characters, especially between Raydor and Provenza.”
While The Closer’s focus has been on the lead character’s uncanny ability to secure airtight confessions from suspects, Major Crimes will center on what it takes to secure an airtight conviction. The show will explore how the police and prosecutors work together to build a solid case that will result in a suspect confessing, signing a plea agreement, or being found guilty in a court of law.
“Despite its connections to The Closer, Major Crimes is very much its own show,” Duff continues. “This new series allows us to explore these characters in new and exciting ways, especially as they begin to interact more with the District Attorney’s office in order to build airtight cases. We also have the opportunity to see a different side of Captain Raydor as she deals with significant changes in her life both inside and outside the job.”
Major Crimes is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The Closer’s James Duff, Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin serve as executive producers on the new series.
