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]
Ray Donovan | |
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Genre | Crime drama Family drama |
Created by | Ann Biderman |
Starring | |
Composer(s) | Marcelo Zarvos |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 7 |
No. of episodes | 82 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
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Producer(s) | Allen Coulter |
Production location(s) | Los Angeles, California New York City, New York |
Running time | 45–60 minutes |
Production company(s) |
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Distributor | CBS Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | Showtime |
Original release | June 30, 2013 – January 19, 2020 |
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 is Irish American Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber), originally from South Boston, who works for the powerful law firm Goldman & Drexler, representing the rich and famous. Donovan is a crime cleaner or fixer who arranges bribes, payoffs, threats and other illegal activities, to ensure the outcome desired by the client. 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
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
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First aired | Last aired | ||||
1 | 12 | June 30, 2013 | September 22, 2013 | ||
2 | 12 | July 13, 2014 | September 28, 2014 | ||
3 | 12 | July 12, 2015 | September 27, 2015 | ||
4 | 12 | June 26, 2016 | September 18, 2016 | ||
5 | 12 | August 6, 2017 | October 29, 2017 | ||
6 | 12 | October 28, 2018 | January 13, 2019 | ||
7 | 10 | November 17, 2019 | January 19, 2020 |
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
- Elliott Gould as Ezra Goldman (seasons 1–3)
- Peter Jacobson as Lee Drexler (seasons 1–3)
- Denise Crosby as Debra "Deb" Goldman (seasons 1–5)
- William Stanford Davis as Potato Pie (seasons 1–5)
- Ambyr Childers as Ashley Rucker (seasons 1–2, 4)
- Josh Pais as Stuart "Stu" Feldman (seasons 1–2, 4, 6–7)
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Claudette (seasons 1–2, 7)
- Paul Michael Glaser as Alan (seasons 1–2, 7)
- Austin Nichols as Thomas "Tommy" Wheeler (seasons 1–4, 7)
- Brooke Smith as Frances Simpson (seasons 1–3)
- Michael McGrady as Frank Barnes (seasons 1–5)
- Craig Ricci Shaynak as Kenneth "Tiny" Benson (seasons 1–2)
- Octavius J. Johnson as Marvin Gaye Washington (seasons 1–2)
- Frank Whaley as FBI Agent Van Miller (season 1)
- Johnathon Schaech as Sean Walker (season 1)
- James Woods as Patrick "Sully" Sullivan (season 1)
- Rosanna Arquette as Linda (season 1-2)
- Kwame Patterson as Re-Kon (seasons 1–2)
- Mo McRae as Deonte Frasier (seasons 1–2)
- Jay Thomas as Marty Grossman (seasons 1–3, 5)
- Hank Azaria as Ed Cochran (seasons 2–4)
- Sherilyn Fenn as Donna Cochran (season 2)
- Ann-Margret as June Wilson (season 2)
- Kip Pardue as FBI Agent Thomas Volcheck (season 2)
- Andrea Bogart as Megan Volchek (season 2)
- Wendell Pierce as Ronald Keith (seasons 2–3)
- Crispin Alapag as Pablo Ramirez (season 2)
- Vinessa Shaw as Kate McPherson (season 2)
- Jeryl Prescott as Cherry (season 2)
- Omar Dorsey as Cookie Brown (season 2)
- Jamie Donnelly as Peggy Shaugnessy (season 2)
- Eion Bailey as Steve Knight (season 2)
- Brian Geraghty as Detective Jim Halloran (season 2)
- Steph DuVall as Shorty (season 2)
- Heather McComb as Patty (season 2)
- Jayne Taini as Harriet Greenberg (seasons 2–5)
- Ian McShane as Andrew Finney (season 3)[7]
- Katie Holmes as Paige Finney (season 3)[8]
- Guy Burnet as Casey Finney (season 3)
- Jason Butler Harner as Varick Strauss (season 3)
- Leland Orser as Father Romero (seasons 3–4)
- Michael Hyatt as Detective Sheila Muncie (seasons 3–4)
- Christy Williams as Michelle (season 3)
- Nick Kent as Davros Minassian (season 3)
- Ken Davitian as Vartan Minassian (season 3)
- Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. Minassian (season 3)
- Shree Crooks as Audrey (season 3)
- Aaron Staton as Greg Donellen (seasons 3–4)
- Alyssa Diaz as Teresa (seasons 3–6)
- Lulu Brud as Lauren (seasons 3 and 6)
- Fairuza Balk as Ginger (season 3)
- Bronson Pinchot as Flip Brightman (season 3)
- Embeth Davidtz as Sonia Kovitzky (season 4)
- Richard Brake as Vlad (season 4)
- Stacy Keach as The Texan (season 4)
- Pasha D. Lychnikoff as Ivan Belikov (season 4)
- Ismael Cruz Córdova as Hector Campos (season 4)
- Lisa Bonet as Marisol Campos (season 4)
- Dominique Columbus as Damon Bradley (seasons 4–5)
- Tom Wright as Punch Hoffman (seasons 4–5)
- Derek Webster as Jackson Holt (seasons 4–5)
- Tara Buck as Maureen Dougherty Donovan (seasons 4–5)
- Raymond J. Barry as Dmitri Sokolov (season 4)
- Ted Levine as Little Bill Primm (season 4)[9]
- Gabriel Mann as Jacob Waller (season 4)[10]
- Paula Jai Parker as Sylvie Starr (season 4)
- C. Thomas Howell as Dr. Brogan (seasons 5–6)
- Donald Faison as Antoine A'Shawn Anderson (seasons 5–6)
- Rhys Coiro as Rob Heard (season 5)
- Lili Simmons as Natalie James (season 5)
- Michel Gill as Doug Landry (season 5)
- Brian J. White as Jay White (seasons 5–6)
- Kim Raver as Dr. Bergstein (season 5)
- James Keach as Tom (season 5)
- Jordan Mahome as Damon's father (season 5)
- Adina Porter as Vicki Delgatti (season 5)
- Ryan Dorsey as Duquesne "Dime Bag" Baker (season 5)
- Keir O'Donnell as George Winslow (seasons 5–6)
- Jake Busey as Acid Man/Chef Dave (season 5)
- Billy Miller as Todd Dougherty (season 5)
- Ryan Radis as Beckett (season 5)
- Domenick Lombardozzi as NYPD Sgt. Sean "Mac" McGrath (season 6)
- Kate Arrington as Amber McGrath (seasons 6–7)
- Tony Curran as NYPD Lt. Mikey “Rad” Radulovic (season 6)
- Lola Glaudini as Anita Novak (season 6)
- Gerard Cordero as Big Al (season 6)
- Sandy Martin as Sandy Donovan (seasons 6–7)
- Alexandra Turshen as Justine Smith (season 6)
- Zach Grenier as Mayor Ed Feratti (seasons 6–7)
- Alan Alda as Dr. Arthur Amiot (seasons 6–7)
- Quincy Tyler Bernstine as Detective Perry (season 7)
- Louisa Krause as Liberty Larson (season 7)
- Michael Esper as Adam Rain (season 7)
- Josh Hamilton as Kevin Sullivan (season 7)
- Kerry Condon as Molly Sullivan (season 7)
- Clay Hollander as Johnathan Walker Hanson (season 7)
- Keren Dukes as Jasmine (season 7)
- Peter Gerety as James Sullivan (season 7)
- Kevin Corrigan as Declan Sullivan (season 7)
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]
A week later, Liev Schreiber commented on his Instagram that due to fans' support and activity in media, there "will be more Ray Donovan".[13] On March 23, Dash Mihok commented on his Twitter that he didn't have any information or idea about continuation of the series and didn't think it would happen anytime soon, following COVID-19 pandemic.[14] On July 19, 2020, Liev Schreiber commented that they were still working on it.[15]
Home media
The first season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 10, 2014.[16] The second season was released on both media on May 26, 2015. The third season was released on DVD and blu-ray on December 29, 2015. The fourth season was released on DVD on December 27, 2016. The fifth season saw a DVD release on January 30, 2018, sixth on April 9, 2019, the seventh season on May 5, 2020.
Reception
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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".[23] Metacritic gives the first season a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".[24]
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".[25]
Awards and nominations
References
- "Showtime(R) 2013 Original Series Premiere Slate". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- Sara Bibel (June 11, 2012). "Showtime Orders Twelve Episodes of Two New Dramas, 'Ray Donovan' and 'Masters of Sex'". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- Littleton, Cynthia (June 11, 2012). "Showtime gives series orders to 'Donovan,' 'Sex'". Variety. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- O'Connell, Michael. "TV Ratings: 'Ray Donovan' Premiere Tops 'Homeland' With Showtime Record". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (April 2, 2018). "'Ray Donovan': Graham Rogers Upped to Series Regular for Season 6". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- "Ian McShane Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'". Deadline Hollywood. January 21, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 27, 2015). "Katie Holmes Joins 'Ray Donovan' Season 3". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- Petski, Denise (February 10, 2016). "Ted Levine & Ismael Cruz Cordova Join 'Ray Donovan' In Recurring Roles". Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 10, 2016). "'Revenge' Alum Gabriel Mann Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- "'Ray Donovan' boss baffled by cancellation, says season 7 was 'in no way a series finale'". EW.com. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- Nemetz, Dave (February 12, 2020). "Ray Donovan Un-Cancelled? 'There Will Be More,' Liev Schreiber Says". TVLine. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- "Dash Mihok commented on Ray Donovan ending". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- "Liev Schreiber commented on Ray Donovan ending". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- 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.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 1 (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 2 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 3 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 4 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- "Ray Donovan: Season 1". rottentomatoes.com.
- "Ray Donovan". Metacritic.
- Tim Goodman. "Ray Donovan: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- The BTJA Announces Icon Award Recipient and Most Exciting New Series Honorees (June 10, 2013). criticschoice.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- "18th Satellite Awards Winners". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are..." Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "Ray Donovan Golden Globes Wins". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "Ray Donovan Emmy Awards". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "66th Writers Guild Awards Winners". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- Kilday, Gregg. "Satellite Awards Nominees Unveiled". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- "CSC Awards 2017". www.csc.ca. Retrieved April 8, 2017.