TNT has announced the premiere dates for their summer season. Many cable networks take advantage of the quiet Summer period to run shows, it allows them to avoid competing with new programming from the networks.
In addition to the premiere dates, TNT also released details of shows currently in development. The last couple of years have been a time of change for the cabler. SAVING GRACE ended and THE CLOSER is preparing to. TNT has been aggressively increasing programming. Some shows, like RIZZOLI & ISLES and the NBC transplant SOUTHLAND, have found an audience while others, like MEMPHIS BEAT and DARK BLUE, never caught on.
This Summer will see the debut of 4 new shows as well as the return of 5 current ones.
Current and New SeriesRizzoli & Isles – Season 3 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Franklin & Bash – Season 2 premiere: Tuesday, June 5, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Dallas – Two-hour series premiere: Wednesday, June 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Falling Skies – Two-hour season 2 premiere: Sunday, June 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The Great Escape – Series premiere: Sunday, June 24, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
The Closer – Final six episodes premiere: Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Perception – Series premiere: Monday, July 9, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Leverage – Season 5 premiere: Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
Major Crimes – Series premiere: Monday, Aug. 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), then moves to 9 p.m.
Southland – Season 5 coming in February 2013
Monday Mornings – New series coming in early 2013
Boston Blue (working title) – New series coming in 2013
72 Hours (working title) – New series coming in 2013
TNT Scripted Series in Development
King and Maxwell – Bestselling author David Baldacci’s popular characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell aren’t your typical pair of private investigators. Both are former secret service agents, and their unique skill set (not to mention their razor-sharp chemistry) often gives them a leg up on both suspects and conventional law enforcement. Baldacci serves as a consultant on the project. Executive Producer: Shane Brennan. Producer: Karen Spiegel and Grant Anderson. Studio: CBS Television Studios.
The Last Ship – In this exciting action/adventure project based on the popular novel by William Brinkley, the crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic decimates most of the earth’s population. Michael Bay (Transformers) intends to direct the pilot if it is green lit. Executive Producers: Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Hank Steinberg (showrunner and writer) and Steve Kane (writer). Production Company: Platinum Dunes.
Legends – This suspenseful, action-packed drama is being developed by Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Mark Bomback from the novel Legends by Robert Littell. The story follows a deep-cover operative named Martin Odum, who has an uncanny ability to transform himself into a different person for each job. But his own identity comes into question when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t who he thinks he is. Executive Producers: Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Alexander Cary and Jonathan Levin. Studio: Fox Television Studios.
Lew Archer – Based on the title character from Ross MacDonald’s popular novels, this project from The Closer creator James Duff and Close to Home creator Jim Leonard follows the sleuth many consider to be “the original P.I.” Executive Producers: James Duff, Jim Leonard (writer) and Steve N. White. Studio: Warner Horizon Television.
Tom Clancy’s Homeland Security – This event-based procedural written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and set in Tom Clancy’s world of espionage pits a select team of domestic intelligence operatives against enemies within and without, from narco-traffickers and nuclear terrorists to cyber-criminals and human smugglers. Executive Producers: Tom Clancy, Michael Ovitz, Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Chris George.
Untitled Steven Bochco Murder Mystery project – This suspenseful and intriguing crime drama will intimately dissect a single murder case over an entire season, from the commitment of the crime through the investigation, arrest and trial. Executive Producer: Steven Bochco (writer). Co-Executive Producer: Eric Lodal (writer).
Untitled Ron Shelton family drama – A disgraced football coach loses his high-profile job in Los Angeles and winds up moving his three kids and 70-year-old father to Louisiana. But this might just be the fresh start they need in this insightful drama from the writer/director of Bull Durham. Executive Producers: Ron Shelton (writer), Michele Weisler and Andrea Buchanan.