TCA: Showtime Renews 'Ray Donovan,' 'Sex'

Showtime has renewed drama series Ray Donovan and Masters Oof Sex for fourth seasons, the network announced during its Television Critics Association Tour session Tuesday.

Both Donovan and Sex, which are currently in the middle of their third season runs, will return next year with 12 additional episodes, the network said.

“Both Ray Donovan and Masters Of Sex are signature series for Showtime,” said David Nevins, president of Showtime in a statement. “They are emblematic of what Showtime stands for – quality, premium programming that you cannot find anywhere else on television.  We’re so proud to continue offering both series across all our platforms.”

In other Showtime TCA news:

-- The network has ordered a one hour comedy pilot from executive producer Jim Carrey focusing on the 1970’s L.A. comedy scene dubbed I’m Dying Up Here, as well as an untitled, coming of age drama executively produced by Lena Waithe (Dear White People) and Common (Selma).

--Showtime will air in November The Spymasters, which will feature interviews with all 12 living directors of the Central Intelligence Agency

--Showtime will air in November The Spymasters, which will feature interviews with all 12 living directors of the Central Intelligence Agency. It also set a Sept. 26 date for the premiere of its documentary American Dream/American Knighrtmare chronicling the live of rap mogul Suge Knight.

--The pay TV service will develop performer Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids to develop into a limited series and will chronicle the comback from injury of NFL star Victor Cruz in a fall Showtime Sports documentary I Am Giant: Victor Cruz.

--The network will debut on Jan. 17 freshman series Billions as well as the sixth season of Shameless. The network also released a trailer for Billions, which appears below. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.