Justified, FX’s highly acclaimed (seriously: everyone loves it) and beloved crime drama will bow out after its upcoming sixth season. Indeed, the Elmore Leonard-based television series will step down from its freewheeling, cowboy-esque ways following several years as one of the network’s top programs.
The news was announced to reporters on Tuesday during the network’s Television Critics Association winter press tour. There, CEO John Landgraf, confirmed the news, adding that the decision was made by executive producer Graham Yost and the series’ leading man, Timothy Olyphant.
“It was Graham Yost and Timothy Olyphant’s decision,” Landgraf explained with a clearly heavy heart. “I would have liked to have had more Justified, it's one of my favorite shows.”
Though a shock to the network’s CEO, six-season story arc was always the plan Yost had in mind for the series. “We talked about it a year ago,” explained Landgraf. “They felt that the arc of the show and what they had to say would be best served by six seasons instead of seven," he said. "And regretfully, I accepted their decision.”
Certainly, the men know best when it comes to the backwoods Western, which stars Olyphant as U.S. Marshal Raylan. During the course of the show’s run it quickly became both a fan and critical darling, and has attracted a host of incredible actors in guest and recurring roles, including Walton Goggins, Margo Martindale, Alicia Witt, Mike O’Malley, Stephen Tobolowsky, and the hilarious Patton Oswalt as fan-favorite, Constable Bob Sweeney. All of whom have created engaging and exciting characters that keep the fans coming back for more.
The series’ fifth season, which premiered on January 7th has shown a slight decline ratings-wise: only 2.8 million folks tuned in for the premiere — a 21 percent drop from the fourth season opener, which garnered closer to 3.6 million viewers. Still, it doesn’t take away from the impressive doings its already accomplished. You stay frosty, Justified. Don’t be mad because it’s ending, be glad that it happened at all!
Justified airs Tuesdays at 10PM on FX.
