Ray Donovan

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]

For the 2022 film, see Ray Donovan: The Movie. For the former U.S. Secretary of Labor, see Raymond J. Donovan.

Ray Donovan
GenreCrime drama
Family drama
Psychological drama
Neo-noir
Created byAnn Biderman
Starring
ComposerMarcelo Zarvos
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes82 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAllen Coulter
Production locationsLos Angeles, California
New York City, New York
Running time45–60 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original releaseJune 30, 2013 (2013-06-30) –
January 19, 2020 (2020-01-19)
Related
Ray Donovan: The Movie

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 Ray Donovan: The Movie, which premiered on January 14, 2022, on Showtime.[5][6][7]

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
Main article: List of Ray Donovan episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
112June 30, 2013 (2013-06-30)September 22, 2013 (2013-09-22)
212July 13, 2014 (2014-07-13)September 28, 2014 (2014-09-28)
312July 12, 2015 (2015-07-12)September 27, 2015 (2015-09-27)
412June 26, 2016 (2016-06-26)September 18, 2016 (2016-09-18)
512August 6, 2017 (2017-08-06)October 29, 2017 (2017-10-29)
612October 28, 2018 (2018-10-28)January 13, 2019 (2019-01-13)
710November 17, 2019 (2019-11-17)January 19, 2020 (2020-01-19)

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Cancellation and feature-length film

On February 4, 2020, Showtime cancelled the series after seven seasons.[5]

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.[13][14]

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.[15] On August 19, Schreiber commented on his Instagram that "an RD finale/movie" was being written.[16]

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.[6] 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".[17] Beside the original cast returning, Chris Petrovski, AJ Michalka, David Patrick Kelly and Chris Gray had joined the film.[18][19][20][21]

On November 22, the official trailer and poster for the film, titled Ray Donovan: The Movie were released, with a premiere date of January 14, 2022 and tagline "You can't outrun your legacy".[7]

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]

Indian remake

In 2021, Netflix India announced that it will broadcast a remake of the series, titled Rana Naidu with starring Rana Daggubati and his uncle Venkatesh. The series will be 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]

Reception

Critical response
Critical response of Ray Donovan
SeasonRotten TomatoesMetacritic
177% (43 reviews)[25]75 (36 reviews)[26]
273% (11 reviews)[27]73 (7 reviews)[28]
377% (13 reviews)[29]71 (8 reviews)[30]
450% (6 reviews)[31]—
5100% (5 reviews)[32]—
660% (5 reviews)[33]—

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".[25] Metacritic gives the first season a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews".[26]

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".[34]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipients Result Ref.
2013 Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Exciting New Series Ray Donovan Won [35]
2014 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Nominated [36]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [37]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [38]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Won [38]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [39]
Writers Guild of America Awards Best New Series Ray Donovan Nominated [40]
2015 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [38]
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Jon Voight Nominated [38]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [39]
2016 Satellite Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [41]
Best Television Series – Drama Ray Donovan Nominated [41]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Liev Schreiber Nominated [38]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [39]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jon Voight Nominated [39]
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series David Hollander Nominated [39]
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour) Harrison Marsh, Robert Edmondson, R. Russell Smith Nominated [39]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Hank Azaria Won [39]
2017 Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards TV series Cinematography Robert McLachlan Nominated [42]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Liev Schreiber Nominated [39]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Hank Azaria Nominated [39]

References
  1. "Showtime(R) 2013 Original Series Premiere Slate". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  2. "Ray Donovan Season 8: Will it be renewed or is it officially cancelled?". Web News Observer. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  3. Littleton, Cynthia (June 11, 2012). "Showtime gives series orders to 'Donovan,' 'Sex'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  4. O'Connell, Michael (July 2013). "TV Ratings: 'Ray Donovan' Premiere Tops 'Homeland' With Showtime Record". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (February 4, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' Canceled By Showtime After 7 Seasons; Won't Get Final Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  6. Ausiello, Michael (February 24, 2021). "Ray Donovan Lives! Showtime Orders 'Feature-Length Film' In Wake of Surprise Cancellation — Who's Back?". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  7. Parlevliet, Mirko (November 22, 2021). "Ray Donovan: The Movie Trailer, Art and Premiere Date". Vital Thrills. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  8. Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (April 2, 2018). "'Ray Donovan': Graham Rogers Upped to Series Regular for Season 6". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  9. "Ian McShane Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'". Deadline Hollywood. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  10. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 27, 2015). "Katie Holmes Joins 'Ray Donovan' Season 3". Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  11. Petski, Denise (February 10, 2016). "Ted Levine & Ismael Cruz Cordova Join 'Ray Donovan' In Recurring Roles". Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  12. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 10, 2016). "'Revenge' Alum Gabriel Mann Joins Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' (EXCLUSIVE)". Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  13. Tallerico, Brian (February 5, 2020). "Ray Donovan's Showrunner Has a Few Things to Say About That Surprise Cancellation'". vulture.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  14. Bucksbaum, Sydney (February 5, 2020). "'Ray Donovan' boss baffled by cancellation, says season 7 was 'in no way a series finale'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  15. Nemetz, Dave (February 12, 2020). "Ray Donovan Un-Cancelled? 'There Will Be More,' Liev Schreiber Says". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  16. Buffa, Dan (September 28, 2020). "According to Liev Schreiber, Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' finale will be a movie". ksdk.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  17. Tallerico, Brian (February 26, 2021). "Ray Donovan's Showrunner Credits Fan Outcry for the Show's 'Very Ambitious' Wrap-up Movie". vulture.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  18. Petski, Denise (June 3, 2021). "'Ray Donovan': Chris Petrovski Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  19. Petski, Denise (June 18, 2021). "'Ray Donovan': AJ Michalka Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  20. Andreeva, Nellie (June 25, 2021). "'Ray Donovan': David Patrick Kelly Joins Showtime's Follow-Up Movie". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  21. Petski, Denise (July 15, 2021). "'Ray Donovan' Casts Chris Gray As Young Ray In Follow-Up Movie; Saad Siddiqui Joins 'From Scratch'". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  22. 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.
  23. Ingham, Alexandria (March 22, 2020). "Ray Donovan Season 7 heading to DVD in May 2020". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  24. Wiseman, Andrea (September 21, 2021). "Netflix India's 'Ray Donovan' Adaptation With Rana Daggubati; Endeavor Content Puts 'Cash In The Attic'; Pluto TV In Italy — Global Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
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  28. "Ray Donovan: Season 2". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  29. "Ray Donovan: Season 3 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  30. "Ray Donovan: Season 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
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  32. "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  33. "Ray Donovan: Season 5 (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
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  35. The BTJA Announces Icon Award Recipient and Most Exciting New Series Honorees Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (June 10, 2013). criticschoice.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
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  40. "66th Writers Guild Awards Winners". Retrieved November 2, 2016.
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