Nurse Jackie Renewed for Season 6 by Showtime

While not giving period drama The Borgias another season, Showtime will be having more of Jackie Peyton’s struggle for sobriety, as they’ve renewed Nurse Jackie for a sixth season. Production on the dramedy, which is up 10% in the ratings for season five, will begin in New York this fall for an early 2014 premiere.

“Nurse Jackie is an essential part of the Showtime brand, and we are thrilled with the series’ growth in its fifth season,” said David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “Under the new leadership of Clyde Phillips, and with an amazing cast led by Edie Falco, this show is as sharp and compelling and entertaining as ever. I’m excited to get to see the next chapter in Jackie’s life.”

This season on Nurse Jackie, noticeably lighter than the darker fourth season, has found Jackie in a much better place than we’ve seen her in the series to date. Going on a year sober, she’s on good terms with Kevin, has someone in her life in  NYPD officer Frank, and doesn’t have the specter of Cruz hanging over the hospital anymore. However, with Grace experimenting with drugs, Jackie might be losing one of the main motivators to her sobriety, as she suggested to Kevin that the girls go and life with him, at least until Grace’s recent rebellious streak dies down. Jackie’s found the type of happiness she thought she had left behind after getting sober, though it took a while for her to get acclimated to feeling the emotions she numbed for decade, and she can’t let anything, not even her children, stand in the way between her and physical/mental wellness. Her life may not be perfect, but Jackie has to do what she can to maintain the status quo she’s established in recent weeks, so if that means allowing Kevin to take the reins and continuing to work on herself, so be it.

Nurse Jackie airs Sundays at 9:00 on Showtime. The season finale is set for June 16th.

How do you think this season of Nurse Jackie compares to last season? Where should executive producer Clyde Phillips take Jackie’s journey next? Should next season be the final season of Nurse Jackie?