TNT renews ‘Falling Skies,’ ‘The Last Ship’ and ‘Major Crimes’

Next summer on TNT will likely look quite a bit like this summer as the cable channel announced on Friday that it has renewed three of its summer dramas. “The Last Ship,” “Major Crimes” and “Falling Skies” all will return for new seasons, with the Steven Spielberg-produced alien drama “Skies” going through its fifth and final season.

“The Last Ship,” the global virus pandemic thriller that is executive produced by Michael Bay, has been a ratings hit for TNT in its first season, grabbing 7.2 million viewers per episode across the multiple airings of each new episode during the week. Although the first season was 10 episodes, TNT’s order for Season 2 has been upped to 13 episodes.

“Major Crimes” is the spinoff from TNT’s previous hit “The Closer” and is currently airing its third season. Ratings have improved for the crime drama starring Mary McDonnell, with an average of 7 million viewers over all the airings in a single week. Its fourth season will have 15 episodes.

“Falling Skies” is currently airing its fourth season and plans to wrap its story of an alien invasion of Earth with parallels to the American Revolution with its fifth and final season next year.

TNT’s top hit is “Rizzoli & Isles,” which is averaging 8.5 million viewers across the week per episode in its fifth season, has not yet been renewed for a sixth season, but an announcement is expected soon. It is currently basic cable’s top-rated scripted series this summer.

TNT’s next original series, “Legends,” will premiere Aug. 13, along with the return of “Franklin & Bash.” “Dallas” will return for a new season on Aug. 18.

Follow me on Twitter: @patrickkevinday