Ray Donovan

Ray Donovan is an American television crime drama series created by Ann Biderman for Showtime. The twelve-episode first season premiered on June 30, 2013.[1][2][3] The pilot episode broke viewership records, becoming the biggest premiere of all time on Showtime.[4] On February 4, 2020, Showtime cancelled the series after seven seasons.[5]

This article is about the TV series. For the former United States Secretary of Labor, see Raymond J. Donovan. For the fictional character, see A Guy Thing.

Ray Donovan
GenreCrime drama
Family drama
Psychological drama
Neo-noir
Created byAnn Biderman
Starring
ComposerMarcelo Zarvos
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes82 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAllen Coulter
Production locationsLos Angeles, California
New York City, New York
Running time45–60 minutes
Production companies
  • The Mark Gordon Company
  • Ann Biderman Co.
  • Bider Sweet Productions
  • David Hollander Productions
  • Showtime Networks
DistributorCBS Television Distribution
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original releaseJune 30, 2013 (2013-06-30) –
January 19, 2020 (2020-01-19)
External links
Official website

The drama is set primarily in Los Angeles, California (during seasons 1–5) and primarily in New York City, New York (during seasons 6–7). The main character, Ray Donovan, is a professional "fixer" arranging bribes, payoffs, threats, crime-scene clean-up, and other illegal activities to protect his (usually) celebrity clients. Good at his job, he is also normally devoted to his children and brothers, but has a complicated relationship with his wife. He experiences problems when his menacing father, Mickey Donovan (Jon Voight), is unexpectedly released from prison, as the FBI attempts to bring him and his associates down.

Episodes
Main article: List of Ray Donovan episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
112June 30, 2013 (2013-06-30)September 22, 2013 (2013-09-22)
212July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13)September 28, 2014 (2014-09-28)
312July 12, 2015 (2015-07-12)September 27, 2015 (2015-09-27)
412June 26, 2016 (2016-06-26)September 18, 2016 (2016-09-18)
512August 6, 2017 (2017-08-06)October 29, 2017 (2017-10-29)
612October 28, 2018 (2018-10-28)January 13, 2019 (2019-01-13)
710November 17, 2019 (2019-11-17)January 19, 2020 (2020-01-19)

Cast and characters

Main
  • Liev Schreiber as Raymond "Ray" Donovan
  • Paula Malcomson as Abigail "Abby" Donovan, Ray's wife (seasons 1–5)
  • Eddie Marsan as Terrence "Terry" Donovan, Ray's older brother. A former boxer who has Parkinson's disease
  • Dash Mihok as Brendan "Bunchy" Donovan, Ray's younger brother. Identifies himself as a sexual anorexic
  • Pooch Hall as Daryll Donovan, Ray's younger biracial half-brother (via Mickey and Claudette). A professional boxer, trained by Terry, he also drives limos
  • Steven Bauer as Avi Rudin, Ray's right-hand man. Former IDF soldier and ex–Mossad agent (seasons 1–5)
  • Katherine Moennig as Lena Burnham, Ray's investigative assistant
  • Kerris Dorsey as Bridget Donovan, Ray's daughter
  • Devon Bagby as Conor Donovan, Ray's son (seasons 1–6)
  • Jon Voight as Michael "Mickey" Donovan, Ray's father
  • Susan Sarandon as Samantha "Sam" Winslow, Ray's new boss (recurring season 5; season 6)
  • Graham Rogers as Jacob "Smitty" Smith, Bridget's boyfriend turned husband. (recurring season 5; seasons 6–7).[6]

Recurring

Cancellation and the future

On February 4, 2020, Showtime cancelled the series after seven seasons.[11]

The series was cancelled without any advance warning, leaving fans and showrunner, David Hollander, in shock. Season 8 was supposed to have been the final season, and Hollander already had a plan in place creatively for the story. [12][13]

A week later, Liev Schreiber wrote on his Instagram account that due to fans' support and activity in media, there was a possibility for Ray Donovan to return.[14] The decision to cancel the series was reportedly for political reasons amid the recent merger between CBS, which owns Showtime, and Viacom, which "did not recognize the power of the fan base and social media".[15] On August 19, Schreiber commented on his Instagram that "an RD finale/movie" was being written.[16]

Home media

The first season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 10, 2014.[17] The second season was released on both media on May 26, 2015 and the third one on December 29, 2015. Further seasons were released only on DVD. The fourth season saw a release on December 27, 2016, the fifth season on January 30, 2018, the sixth one came out on April 9, 2019, and the seventh season on May 5, 2020.[18]

Reception
Rotten Tomatoes evaluation by season
Season 1 2 3 4 5 6
Rating 76[19] 73[20] 77[21] 50[22] 100[23] 60[24]

Ray Donovan has received positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the first season a rating of 77% based on reviews from 43 critics, with the site's consensus stating: "Ray Donovan moves quickly between genres and tones, with Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight's performances making the whiplash worth it".[25] Metacritic gives the first season a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".[26]

Tim Goodman, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, said that "Showtime has another gem on their hands" and the casting of Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight was "gold".[27]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Recipients Result Ref.
2013 Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Exciting New Series Ray Donovan Won [28]
2014 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Nominated [29]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [30]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [31]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Won [31]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [32]
Writers Guild of America Awards Best New Series Ray Donovan Nominated [33]
2015 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [31]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Nominated [31]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [32]
2016 Satellite Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [34]
Best Television Series – Drama Ray Donovan Nominated [34]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [31]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [32]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [32]
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series David Hollander Nominated [32]
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour) Harrison Marsh, Robert Edmondson, R. Russell Smith Nominated [32]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Hank Azaria Won [32]
2017 Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards TV Series Cinematography Robert McLachlan Nominated [35]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [32]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Hank Azaria Nominated [32]

References
  1. "Showtime(R) 2013 Original Series Premiere Slate". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  2. Sara Bibel (June 11, 2012). "Showtime Orders Twelve Episodes of Two New Dramas, 'Ray Donovan' and 'Masters of Sex'". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  3. Littleton, Cynthia (June 11, 2012). "Showtime gives series orders to 'Donovan,' 'Sex'". Variety. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  4. O'Connell, Michael. "TV Ratings: 'Ray Donovan' Premiere Tops 'Homeland' With Showtime Record". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  6. Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (April 2, 2018). "'Ray Donovan': Graham Rogers Upped to Series Regular for Season 6". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  7. "Ian McShane Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'". Deadline Hollywood. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  8. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 27, 2015). "Katie Holmes Joins 'Ray Donovan' Season 3". Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  9. Petski, Denise (February 10, 2016). "Ted Levine & Ismael Cruz Cordova Join 'Ray Donovan' In Recurring Roles". Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  10. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 10, 2016). "'Revenge' Alum Gabriel Mann Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' (EXCLUSIVE)". Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  12. Tallerico, Brian (February 5, 2020). "Ray Donovan's Showrunner Has a Few Things to Say About That Surprise Cancellation'". vulture.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  13. Bucksbaum, Sydney (February 5, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' boss baffled by cancellation, says season 7 was 'in no way a series finale'". EW.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  14. Nemetz, Dave (February 12, 2020). "Ray Donovan Un-Cancelled? 'There Will Be More,' Liev Schreiber Says". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  15. Nathan, Sara (February 13, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' will get a proper ending after sudden cancellation". Page Six. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  16. Buffa, Dan (September 28, 2020). "According to Liev Schreiber, Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' finale will be a movie". ksdk.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  17. Lambert, David (March 10, 2014). "Ray Donovan – 'The 1st Season' of the Showtime Series on> DVD and Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  18. Ingham, Alexandria (March 22, 2020). "Ray Donovan Season 7 heading to DVD in May 2020". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
  19. "Ray Donovan: Season 1 (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  20. "Ray Donovan: Season 2 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  21. "Ray Donovan: Season 3 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  22. "Ray Donovan: Season 4 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  23. "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  24. "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  25. "Ray Donovan: Season 1". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  26. "Ray Donovan". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  27. Tim Goodman. "Ray Donovan: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  28. The BTJA Announces Icon Award Recipient and Most Exciting New Series Honorees Archived September 13, 2014, at WebCite (June 10, 2013). criticschoice.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  29. "18th Satellite Awards Winners". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  30. "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are..." Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  31. "Ray Donovan Golden Globes Wins". Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  32. "Ray Donovan Emmy Awards". Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  33. "66th Writers Guild Awards Winners". Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  34. Kilday, Gregg. "Satellite Awards Nominees Unveiled". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  35. "CSC Awards 2017". www.csc.ca. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
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