The episode increase is not without precedent; TNT previously ordered 15 episodes of both the second and third seasons, before increasing the order to 19 total episodes for each of those seasons as well.

Along with the news last month that parent studio Warner Bros has already sold the rights to air the upcoming season in the United Kingdom to the Universal Channel, this episode increase is another good sign for the continuing longevity of the series, which currently ranks as TNT’s second highest rated series, and the 3rd most watched scripted series across all basic cable networks.

UPDATED 3/11/15 – Advanced cover art for the DVD’s have been released, the set is now available for preorder on Amazon.com.

“WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

BRINGS ONE OF TNT’S MOST-WATCHED SERIES

TO DVD May 26, 2015

WITH THE RELEASE OF

MAJOR CRIMES: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

DVD Release Includes All 19 Season Three Episodes

Plus Never-Before-Seen Unaired Scenes and Gag Reel

BURBANK, CA (February 25, 2015) – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings the third season of one of cable television’s most powerful police dramas to DVD, with the release of Major Crimes: The Complete Third Season.  Available in stores May 26, 2015, this release features all 19 of the series’ season three episodes plus never-before-seen unaired scenes and gag reel. The show, which spun off the critically acclaimed, award-winning The Closer, has quickly established itself as one of basic cable’s top programs. During season three, Major Crimes ranked as TNT’s #2 show and as the # 3 scripted drama on basic cable television *.   The release of Major Crimes: The Complete Third Season is timed to the show’s fourth season premiere on TNT. The four-disc DVD set will retail for $59.98 SRP. Order due date has been set for April 21, 2015.

The third gripping season of Major Crimes finds our favorite squad of detectives hard at work, as they continue to solve the division’s highest profile cases. The elite team is under the leadership of department head Captain Sharon Raydor, portrayed by Oscar® nominee Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves, Battlestar Galactica). The unit is comprised of Lieutenant Provenza (G.W. Bailey, The Closer, M*A*S*H, Police Academy), Lieutenant Andy Flynn (Tony Denison, The Closer, Crime Story), Lieutenant Mike Tao (Michael Paul Chan, The Closer, Arrested Development), Detective Julio Sanchez (Raymond Cruz, The Closer, Training Day), Detective Amy Sykes (Kearran Giovanni, One Life to Live), tech expert Buzz Watson (Phillip P. Keene, The Closer, The D.A.), Dr. Morales (Jonathan Del Arco, The Closer, Nip/Tuck), Assistant Chief Russell Taylor (Robert Gossett, The Closer, Arlington Road) and Deputy Chief Fritz Howard (recurring guest star Jon Tenney, The Closer, King & Maxwell).

Season three finds the unit involved in a series of startling and complex cases. The detectives investigate the death of a canine that inherited his deceased millionaire master’s fortune; a young runaway who is found murdered in a trash can; a woman who confesses to killing her rapist; a series of young girls who disappear from a nightclub; a father and two young kids who go missing and several other captivating mysteries. The third season also brings the return of homeless teen and material witness Rusty Beck (Graham Patrick Martin, The Closer, Two and a Half Men), who is taken in — and adopted — by Captain Raydor. It’s a thrilling season filled with intriguing cases and compelling stories about the lives of the officers and prosecutors who work together to rid the streets of Los Angeles of some its worst criminals.

 “Major Crimes has quickly developed a devoted fan base. Fans of The Closer now have a spinoff that stands completely on its own. We’re delighted to release another exciting season of this exceptional series on DVD,” said Rosemary Markson, WBHE Senior Vice President, TV Brand Management and Retail Marketing.  She added, “Major Crimes keeps getting better and better with each season. Mary McDonnell in the lead is superb and the rest of the supporting cast is outstanding.”

NPR praised Major Crimes as “…good, solid television,” and Yahoo TV says, “[The] fact that Major Crimes can veer from the grim…to the gleeful…is due in great part to the diversity of the cast.”

Major Crimes is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company and Walking Entropy, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television.  The Closer’s James Duff, Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, Rick Wallace and Adam Belanoff serve as executive producers.

*Source: Nielsen Galaxy Explorer L+7 US AA%; excluding repeats, specials & <5 TCs; Season to Date = 05/26/14-10/26/14

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

• Deleted Scenes
• Gag Reel

 The Credits

  About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com and WB Ultra.

Mary McDonnell returns for a new batch of episodes of ‘Major Crimes’

‘Major Crimes’: Sharon and Andy will discover feelings for each other when Season 3 continues

Major Crimes Boss Talks of TNT’s Faith, ‘Slithery’ Stroh’s Return, Spin-Off Fate

Tony Denison Gears Up for the Major Crimes Return

Also, check out Tony Denison’s recent visit to the Hallmark Home and Family Show, where he talked Major Crimes, “Shandy” and made his famous Italian French Toast from the Major Crimes Cookbook! Check out the video here!

Meanwhile, last weeks episode, the 3rd most watched episode of the series, continued to set records in time-delayed viewing, winning the week as the most watched cable broadcast (including scripted, reality and sports) and brought in the biggest Live + 3 numbers of the season to date, with 7.7 million total viewers, 2.3 million adults 25-54, and 1.8 million adults 18-49. While Live + 7 numbers will not be available for 308 until next week, it will easily surpass the previous Live + 7 season high set by episode 307, with 7.4 million viewers and 2.3 million adults 25-54.

With only one episode left in the summer season, Major Crimes is poised to end the summer as the 2nd highest rated series of the summer (and gaining rapidly on the top position), and is in the Top 4 most watched series in the key 25-54 demographic.

Congrats to the cast and crew on continuing to dominate the summer! BOOM!