Falling Skies, The Last Ship, and Major Crimes Renewed by TNT

TNT has announced that Falling Skies, The Last Ship, and Major Crimes have all been renewed, with the fifth season of Falling Skies set to be its last.

“TNT’s refreshed and recharged drama brand is soaring this summer, and that is due in large part to these three enormously popular dramas,” said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “The Last Ship has become this summer’s top drama among key adult demos with its epic scale and visceral storytelling. Major Crimes continues to be one of the most enduring and popular crime-drama franchises on television. And Falling Skies has begun an ambitious and thrilling story arc this summer as it sets the stage for next year’s climactic final season.”

While The Last Ship has become basic cable’s #1 scripted series this summer in adults 18-49 and the TNT target demo of adults 25-54, Major Crimes has seen an uptick in total viewership that has put it behind only Rizzoli & Isles and Falling Skies has been averaging some 5.5 million total viewers in L+7. Interestingly, Perception and Murder in the First have been left out of the TNT mass renewal; it’s not necessarily a sign of doom for either show, considering that each still has several episodes remaining in which to make a case for their renewal, but it’s hard not to look at this as an indication of vulnerability. With TNT looking to go younger with its programming choices, Perception not breaking out following the biggest lead-in on the network and Murder in the First failing to stir up much in the way of buzz might cause both to lost their spots on the schedule.

The Last Ship airs Sundays at 9:00 on TNT, with Falling Skies following at 10:00 and Major Crimes airing Mondays at 9:00.

Have you been watching The Last Ship? What have you thought about this season of Major Crimes? Are you sad that there’s only one season of Falling Skies remaining?