Kyra Sedgwick Exits 'The Closer' With Her Head High
Actress won Emmy for her role; never played a hooker
Deputy Lieutenant Brenda Leigh Johnson is a lot of things.
She can be pushy, dogmatic and obsessive but she takes down the bad guys with dignity and grace on TNT's "The Closer." And best of all, especially for female fans of the show which is finishing its seventh and final season, Brenda NEVER went undercover as a prostitute. Take note, Angie Harmon.
Bing: More on 'The Closer' | Kyra Sedgwick
Brenda's impervious image as a female law enforcement boss is one of the things Emmy winning actress Kyra Sedgwick said she loves about her character. Unlike on shows such as "Police Woman" (1974-78), "Cagney & Lacey" (1981-88), and most recently "Rizzoli & Isles," Brenda was able to crack cases without objectifying herself in hooker gear.
"I love that," Sedgwick said during a recent phone interview, while promoting the last six episodes of the final season. "That sounds like something for the guys. 'We need something that's going to turn the guys on. How about if she dresses up like a prostitute?"
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Sedgwick, 46, said Brenda's ability to stay professional and earn the respect of her all-male homicide team was something the writers and producers never took for granted. In 2010, Sedgwick won her first and only Emmy for the role.
"I think the writers were always striving for reality," she said. "Whenever I'd run into someone from the LAPD and people in law enforcement, they'd say it's the most realistic show out there.
"They use real police work to solve cases, things don't happen easily and I like that we were able to deliver that. To be authentic, that was important to us."
"The Closer" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TNT.
I will certainly miss Brenda. I started watching The Closer years ago. It is one of my favorite programs. I never tired of even watching the reruns. I was hoping that she would change her mind and Brenda and Fritz would come back for more seasons.
I will initially watch Major Crimes. However, if it turns out sorry like the 'new' law & order replacement for the Law & Order that ran for 25 seasons, it will be turned off,
As a fan of both The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles, I take offense on Angie Harmon's behalf. I watched the episode last night where previews hinted of possibly going undercover as a prostitute, but in fact, she and Dr. Isles went undercover into a party with prostitutes as the catering staff.
I will miss the antics of Fritz & Provenza also.... I wish Kyra the best!
with most of the other characters. I wish Kyra well, she is a great actress.
hubby, Fritz too.
primetime tonight
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
