Ray Donovan Explained

Genre:Crime drama
Family drama
Psychological drama
Neo-noir
Creator:Ann Biderman
Composer:Marcelo Zarvos
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:7
Num Episodes:82
List Episodes:List of Ray Donovan episodes
Producer:Allen Coulter
Location:Los Angeles, California
New York City, New York
Runtime:45–60 minutes
Channel:Showtime

Ray Donovan is an American crime drama television 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] In February 2020, the series was cancelled after seven seasons. The show's storyline concluded with the feature-length , which premiered on January 14, 2022, on Showtime.[5]

The drama, starring Liev Schreiber in the title role, is set primarily in Los Angeles (during seasons 1–5) and in New York City (during seasons 6–7). The main character, Ray Donovan, is a professional "fixer" who arranges 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 encounters problems when his menacing father, Mickey Donovan (Jon Voight), is unexpectedly released from prison. The FBI attempts to bring down Mickey and his associates, and Donovan struggles to escape the undertow.

Episodes

See main article: List of Ray Donovan episodes.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Cancellation and feature-length film

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] On August 19, Schreiber commented on his Instagram that "an RD finale/movie" was being written.[15]

On February 24, 2021, Showtime announced a feature-length film to conclude the storyline, to premiere in 2022, with David Hollander directing it and co-writing with Schreiber.[5] The network brought them the idea of a film after fans' outrage. The two-hour format gave them an ability "to work in very cinematic language".[16] Beside the original cast returning, Chris Petrovski, AJ Michalka, David Patrick Kelly and Chris Gray had joined the film.[17] [18] [19] [20]

On November 22, the official trailer and poster for the film, titled were released, with a premiere date of January 14, 2022 and tagline "You can't outrun your legacy".[21]

Home media

Paramount Home Entertainment (under the Showtime label) released the first season on DVD and Blu-ray on June 10, 2014.[22] The second season was released on both media on May 26, 2015, and the third season released 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 season came out on April 9, 2019, and the seventh season on May 5, 2020.[23]

Remakes

In 2021, Netflix India announced that it would broadcast a remake of the series, titled Rana Naidu with starring Rana Daggubati and his uncle Venkatesh. The series was produced by Locomotive Global and the format rights are licensed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group (now Paramount Global Content Licensing), with Karan Anshuman as showrunner and director and Suparn Verma as co-director.[24]

In 2023, Ronan Bennett will write and create a British remake series for Paramount+ titled The Donovans while Guy Ritchie will direct and executive produce the series.[25]

Reception

Critical response

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". Metacritic gives the first season a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".

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".[26]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResult
2013Critics' Choice Television AwardsMost Exciting New SeriesRay Donovan[27]
2014Satellite AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television FilmJon Voight[28]
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJon Voight[29]
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actor in a Television Series – DramaLiev Schreiber[30]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television FilmJon Voight
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJon Voight[31]
Writers Guild of America AwardsBest New SeriesRay Donovan[32]
2015Golden Globe AwardsBest Actor in a Television Series – DramaLiev Schreiber
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television FilmJon Voight
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesLiev Schreiber
2016Satellite AwardsBest Actor – Television Series DramaLiev Schreiber[33]
Best Television Series – DramaRay Donovan
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actor in a Television Series – DramaLiev Schreiber
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesLiev Schreiber
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJon Voight
Outstanding Directing for a Drama SeriesDavid Hollander
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour)Harrison Marsh, Robert Edmondson, R. Russell Smith
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesHank Azaria
2017Canadian Society of Cinematographers AwardsTV series CinematographyRobert McLachlan[34]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesLiev Schreiber
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesHank Azaria

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Showtime(R) 2013 Original Series Premiere Slate . The Futon Critic . January 12, 2013 . February 16, 2013 . https://archive.today/20130216223110/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/01/12/showtime-2013-original-series-premiere-slate-31511/20130112showtime01/ . live .
  2. Web site: 2022-01-09. Ray Donovan Season 8: Will it be renewed or is it officially cancelled?. 2022-01-09. Web News Observer. en-US.
  3. Showtime gives series orders to 'Donovan,' 'Sex' . Littleton . Cynthia . June 11, 2012 . . December 17, 2021 . December 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217212850/https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/showtime-gives-series-orders-to-donovan-sex-1118055335/amp/ . live .
  4. Web site: O'Connell . Michael . TV Ratings: 'Ray Donovan' Premiere Tops 'Homeland' With Showtime Record . The Hollywood Reporter . July 2013 . July 1, 2013 . April 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190415101210/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-ray-donovan-premiere-578049 . live .
  5. Web site: Ray Donovan Lives! Showtime Orders 'Feature-Length Film' In Wake of Surprise Cancellation — Who's Back?. TVLine. February 24, 2021. Michael. Ausiello. February 25, 2021. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224231139/https://tvline.com/2021/02/24/ray-donovan-movie-showtime-season-8-liev-schreiber/. live.
  6. Web site: 'Ray Donovan': Graham Rogers Upped to Series Regular for Season 6. Denise. Petski. Nellie. Andreeva. April 2, 2018. Deadline Hollywood. April 2, 2018. April 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051406/http://deadline.com/2018/04/ray-donovan-graham-rogers-promoted-series-regular-season-6-1202356338/. live.
  7. News: Ian McShane Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'. Deadline Hollywood. January 21, 2015. March 25, 2015. April 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150401064231/http://deadline.com/2015/01/ian-mcshane-joins-showtimes-ray-donovan-1201354855/. live.
  8. Wagmeister . Elizabeth . Katie Holmes Joins 'Ray Donovan' Season 3 . . January 27, 2015 . March 25, 2015 . March 31, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150331114909/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/ray-donovan-katie-holmes-cast-season-3-1201416279/ . live .
  9. Web site: Ted Levine & Ismael Cruz Cordova Join 'Ray Donovan' In Recurring Roles. Denise. Petski. February 10, 2016. September 13, 2016. August 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828040952/http://deadline.com/2016/02/ted-levine-ismael-cruz-cordova-cast-ray-donovan-1201699922/. live.
  10. Web site: 'Revenge' Alum Gabriel Mann Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' (EXCLUSIVE). Elizabeth. Wagmeister. February 10, 2016. September 13, 2016. October 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161013232607/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/ray-donovan-gabriel-mann-casting-season-4-1201701786/. live.
  11. Web site: 'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8 . Nellie . Andreeva . February 4, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood . February 4, 2020 . February 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200204220717/https://deadline.com/2020/02/ray-donovan-canceled-over-after-7-seasons-no-season-8-for-showtime-series-1202851351/ . live .
  12. Web site: Tallerico . Brian . February 5, 2020 . Ray Donovan's Showrunner Has a Few Things to Say About That Surprise Cancellation' . vulture.com . en . 2021-01-15 . January 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210128194429/https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/ray-donovan-cancelled-showrunner-interview.html . live .
  13. Bucksbaum . Sydney. February 5, 2020. 'Ray Donovan' boss baffled by cancellation, says season 7 was 'in no way a series finale' . Entertainment Weekly . 2020-02-06 . February 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200206115335/https://ew.com/tv/2020/02/05/ray-donovan-david-hollander-reacts-cancellation/ . live .
  14. Web site: Ray Donovan Un-Cancelled? 'There Will Be More,' Liev Schreiber Says . Dave . Nemetz . February 12, 2020 . TVLine . February 13, 2020 . February 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200213054815/https://tvline.com/2020/02/12/ray-donovan-renewed-season-8-liev-schreiber-showtime/ . live .
  15. Web site: According to Liev Schreiber, Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' finale will be a movie . Buffa . Dan . September 28, 2020 . ksdk.com . en . 2021-01-15 . March 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305172224/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/entertainment-news/ray-donovan/63-4429aa83-1b40-4c0c-88de-e48b56df0d14 . live .
  16. Web site: Ray Donovan's Showrunner Credits Fan Outcry for the Show's 'Very Ambitious' Wrap-up Movie . Tallerico . Brian . February 26, 2021 . vulture.com . en . 2021-02-26 . February 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210227010149/https://www.vulture.com/2021/02/ray-donovan-movie-showrunner-cancellation.html . live .
  17. Web site: 'Ray Donovan': Chris Petrovski Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie. Deadline. Denise. Petski. June 3, 2021. June 4, 2021. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111607/https://deadline.com/2021/06/ray-donovan-chris-petrovski-showtime-follow-up-movie-1234768959/. live.
  18. Web site: 'Ray Donovan': AJ Michalka Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie. Deadline. Denise. Petski. June 18, 2021. June 19, 2021. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111601/https://deadline.com/2021/06/ray-donovan-aj-michalka-joins-showtimes-follow-up-movie-1234777490/. live.
  19. Web site: 'Ray Donovan': David Patrick Kelly Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie. Deadline. Nellie. Andreeva. June 25, 2021. June 26, 2021. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111603/https://deadline.com/2021/06/ray-donovan-david-patrick-kelly-cast-showtime-movie-1234782009/. live.
  20. Web site: 'Ray Donovan' Casts Chris Gray As Young Ray In Follow-Up Movie; Saad Siddiqui Joins 'From Scratch'. Deadline. Denise. Petski. July 15, 2021. July 16, 2021. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111605/https://deadline.com/2021/07/ray-donovan-chris-gray-young-ray-follow-up-movie-saad-siddiqui-from-scratch-1234793874/. live.
  21. Web site: Ray Donovan: The Movie Trailer, Art and Premiere Date. Vital Thrills. Mirko. Parlevliet. November 22, 2021. November 22, 2021.
  22. Web site: Ray Donovan – 'The 1st Season' of the Showtime Series on> DVD and Blu-ray . . Lambert . David . March 10, 2014 . March 20, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140315050926/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Ray-Donovan-Season-1/19551 . March 15, 2014 . mdy-all .
  23. Web site: Ray Donovan Season 7 heading to DVD in May 2020 . . Ingham . Alexandria . March 22, 2020 . January 15, 2021 . August 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809233539/https://amazonadviser.com/2020/03/14/ray-donovan-s7-dvd-may-2020/ . live .
  24. Web site: Netflix India's 'Ray Donovan' Adaptation With Rana Daggubati; Endeavor Content Puts 'Cash In The Attic'; Pluto TV In Italy — Global Briefs. Deadline Hollywood. Wiseman. Andrea. September 21, 2021. September 21, 2021. October 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221022050940/https://deadline.com/2021/09/netflix-india-ray-donovan-rana-daggubati-cash-attic-deal-1234842013/. live.
  25. Web site: Petski. Denise. Andreeva . Nellie . February 28, 2024 . 'Ray Donovan' Offshoot Series Set At Paramount+ From Guy Ritchie & 'Top Boy' Creator Ronan Bennett. Deadline Hollywood.
  26. Web site: Tim Goodman . June 12, 2013 . Ray Donovan: TV Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612170414/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/ray-donovan-tv-review-566413 . June 12, 2018 . April 17, 2020 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. http://www.criticschoice.com/television-awards/the-btja-announces-icon-award-recipient-and-most-exciting-new-series-honorees/ The BTJA Announces Icon Award Recipient and Most Exciting New Series Honorees
  28. 18th Satellite Awards Winners . live . https://archive.today/20131202183712/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-international-press-academy-announces-nominations-for-the-18th-annual-satellite-awards-234075351.html . December 2, 2013 . 2 November 2016.
  29. Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are... . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150316115920/https://www.ew.com/article/2014/05/28/critics-choice-television-awards-nominees . March 16, 2015 . 2 November 2016.
  30. Web site: Ray Donovan Golden Globes Wins . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410163744/https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/ray-donovan . April 10, 2019 . 2 November 2016.
  31. Web site: Ray Donovan Emmy Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181013162841/http://www.emmys.com/shows/ray-donovan . October 13, 2018 . 2 November 2016.
  32. Web site: 66th Writers Guild Awards Winners . 2 November 2016 .
  33. Web site: Kilday . Gregg . December 2015 . Satellite Awards Nominees Unveiled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204412/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2015-satellite-award-nominees-announced-844739 . March 31, 2019 . 2 November 2016 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  34. Web site: CSC Awards 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112739/http://www.csc.ca/CSCawards/2017/ . April 9, 2017 . 8 April 2017 . www.csc.ca.

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