TNT orders 'Closer' spinoff

LOS ANGELES, May 18 (UPI) -- TNT says it has ordered a spinoff of its Los Angeles-set police drama "The Closer," which will wrap up its seventh and final season next year.

The cable network said Wednesday it has ordered a 10-episode season of "Major Crimes," a series to take place in the Los Angeles Police Department. It stars Mary McDonnell.

The last season of "The Closer," starring Kyra Sedgwick, will include 15 episodes in 2011 and six in the summer of 2012.

McDonnell has been featured on "The Closer" as Capt. Raydor, who was often at odds with Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, played by Sedgwick.

TNT also said it plans to bring back "Rizzoli & Isles," "Men of a Certain Age," "Leverage," "HawthoRNe," "Memphis Beat" and "Southland," next season.

The network will premiere two series this summer -- Steven Spielberg's science-fiction series "Falling Skies" and the legal dramedy "Franklin & Bash," as well.

TNT has ordered "Perception," starring Eric McCormack as a neuroscientist who works to solve complex criminal cases, for 2012.

"We understand that exceptional programming comes from working with exceptional talent," Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, said in a statement. "We hire the best actors, actresses, writers, producers and directors in the business, give them a clear creative target and then try to get out of their way and let them make terrific television."