When Ray Donovan premiered in 2013, it was easily the biggest premiere in Showtime history. While the show hasn't retained that same high viewership, the long-running series has remained a dependable favorite for the service. That is, until Showtime abruptly decided to cancel the show last year. Met with vitriol and outrage, the paid station decided to give the Liev Schreiber/Jon Voight show a proper send-off with a feature-length conclusion, which is expected to come out sometime next year. We're still learning more details about this intriguing movie finale, but here's what we know!
Liev Schreiber Will Co-Write, Produce, And Star In Showtime’s Ray Donovan
It's hard to make a Ray Donovan movie without Mr. Ray Donovan. So, thankfully, Liev Schreiber will reprise his role from the Showtime favorite, and he'll have a big part behind the scenes as well. Specifically, the actor co-wrote it alongside director David Hollander, and he'll also produce it. Hollander and Schreiber wrote Season 7's finale together, and the writing dynamic worked out well. Hopefully, that's also the case here.
Showrunner David Hollander Will Direct
Along with Liev Schreiber returning to co-write and star, showrunner David Hollander is also coming back to co-write and direct this feature-length finale. While the producer has been involved in the show from the beginning, he has only directed a handful of episodes over the course of its run. But his vision for the series is instrumental to Ray Donovan's longevity, and he'll hopefully provide a fitting farewell for this well-liked show.
Ray Donovan: The Movie Is In Post-Production And It’s Expected To Air On Showtime In 2022
Ray Donovan is officially in the can. As Boston.com reported, Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight were spotted filming scenes for this upcoming movie earlier this summer, and the production reportedly went on without a hitch. Filming reportedly wrapped in early August. At the moment, the TV movie doesn't have an official release date, but it's predicted to come out sometime in 2022. Likely early 2022, though that's unconfirmed.
It'll Pick Up After Season 7, As Our Title Character Is Determined To Stop Mickey Before He Causes Even More Carnage
Fret not, Ray Donovan's story will continue. Although the show hasn't gotten an eighth season, Showtime allowed the narrative to carry on with its upcoming film conclusion, and the story will pick up right where the show left off. Specifically, as the press release notes, 2022's upcoming Ray Donovan will see Mickey "in the wind" and Ray "determined to find and stop him before he can cause any more carnage." Additionally, the movie is expected to follow the present-day fallout from the Donovan/Sullivan feud, while also going back in time to explore the surely dramatic origin story between Ray and Mickey.
Jon Voight And Kerris Dorsey Reprise Their Ray Donovan Roles
Just as it wouldn't be a Ray Donovan movie without its titular fixer, it wouldn't quite be the same if Jon Voight and Kerris Dorsey weren't on hand to play Mickey, Ray's father, and Bridget, Ray's daughter, respectively. Both actors have been crucial to its success from the get-go, and it's good to know that they will be returning to conclude this story.
The Movie Will Also Star AJ Michalka, Chris Petrovski, David Patrick Kelly, And Chris Gray
In addition to Liev Schrieber, Jon Voight, and Kerris Dorsey reprising their roles from the long-running show, Ray Donovan's film continuation will feature supporting turns from AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs), Chris Petrovski (Madam Secretary), David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors), and Chris Gray (The Society). While they're all newcomers to this fan-favorite Showtime series, each actor has established their talents in various projects. As for their roles, Michalka will play young Abby, Gray will be seen as a younger version of our gruff titular character, Petrovski is attached to the role of Sean Walker, a rising Hollywood star, and Kelly will appear as Matty Galloway, a long-time friend of Mickey's.
David Hollander Claims Ray Donovan Is ‘Very Ambitious’ And Will Answer Questions In ‘Honest’ And ‘Surprising Ways’
We still don't know a whole lot about this movie finale, but David Hollander did give some vague hints. Specifically, in a Vulture interview, the showrunner claimed that Ray Donovan (2022) will be "very ambitious" in terms of scope and scale, and the show creator noted that he could work "in a very cinematic language" because it's feature-length. Hollander was quick to note that his canceled series was often cinematic in its presentation, but "certain devices were available" to them through the two-hour format.
Additionally, David Hollander promised that he would answer all the questions left by Season 7 in "very surprising ways." He also took the time to celebrate the fans for their tenacity in getting Showtime to bring the show back to life, noting that it became clear that "the living organism that is Ray Donovan is not just a collaboration between those of us who make the show, but a collaboration, a shared ownership, with our audience."
Here's what David Hollander said:
It’s very ambitious, and because it’s feature length, we were able to work in very cinematic language. Not that the original seasons of Ray Donovan weren’t cinematic, but certain devices are available to us in the two-hour format. Obviously, we left a lot of questions unanswered at the end of the seventh season. We are answering those questions in honest, and also, I believe, in very surprising ways.
It Promises To Be A Proper Ending To The Long-Running Series Following Fan Outrage Over Showtime’s Abrupt Cancellation
When Showtime unceremoniously pulled the plug on Ray Donovan after seven seasons, fans were angry. Really angry. Downright furious, even. And they weren't quiet about it.
In the months that followed, Ray Donovan's vocal, adamant fanbase went online and vented their frustrations over this callous cancellation. And Showtime, to their credit, listened to the fans. They heard their disappointment and paid notice. While they didn't renew the show, Showtime called Liev Schreiber and David Hollander and asked if they were willing to make a feature-length conclusion. They agreed, and they got to work on a screenplay. While fans might not be getting the show back as it was, they should feel proud knowing that their loud outrage resulted in more Ray Donovan in the near future.
All seven seasons of Ray Donovan are available to stream on Showtime.
