The Closer's seventh season will be its last, TNT announced on Friday. The tough call was made by series star Kyra Sedgwick, who has earned both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her portrayal of Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. "I cannot fathom how difficult it will be to say goodbye to the incredible family we've created on The Closer," Sedgwick said in a statement.
"I will always be grateful to [series creator] James Duff for his love and friendship, as well as for creating such a rich and complex character who I have loved living with year after year."
"I want to thank TNT and Warner Bros. Television, as well as the incredible fans of The Closer, for all of their unwavering support over the last seven years," Sedgwick added.
The Closer is currently broadcasting its sixth season, which has averaged more than 8 million total weekly viewers; the finale is set to air January 3. Production on the 15-episode final run -- landmark Episode #100 among them -- is set to begin in the spring, to air later in 2011.
"It's impossible to fully express our appreciation to Kyra Sedgwick, series creator James Duff and all of the other talented people who brought The Closer to TNT viewers," said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "The Closer was a pivotal series in setting a new course for TNT's original programming, while also serving as a prime example of the storytelling strength possible on cable television."