'Bones' to return for 12th and final season

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Bones was renewed for a 12th and final season Thursday.

Fox co-chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman said the season, which will consist of 12 episodes, will bring the crime drama to "a meaningful and satisfying conclusion."

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have another season, so we can give the show, characters and fans the end they so richly deserve," showrunners Jonathan Collier and Michael Petersen added.

"Also knowing there is a Season 12, we can now write the most rewarding Season 11 finale possible -- one we hope will leave our fans excited for what's to come in this final season of Bones," the pair said.

Bones premiered on Fox in 2005 and will return from midseason break Apr. 14. The series follows forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI special agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), who cooperate to solve murder cases.

"This is for the fans! Thank you to everyone at Fox and, of course, Dana and Gary -- for all your support," Boreanaz said. "I couldn't have done it without you, Emily!"

"As sad as it is to know something you have loved doing for 11 years will be ending, I am so glad we will have the opportunity to end it well," Deschanel added in a tweet. "Thank you for the most loyal, dedicated and kind fans in the world! We couldn't have done any of this without you!"

Bones is loosely based on the life of real-life forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, who co-produces the show with Deschanel and Boreanaz. The series is the longest-running one-hour drama produced by 20th Century Fox Television.