‘Rizzoli & Isles’ Showrunner to Step Down

Rizzoli & Isles is losing its showrunner.

Janet Tamaro, who has overseen the procedural since its 2010 debut, will step down after the end of the current fourth season of TNT’s top drama, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The remaining four episodes are scheduled to air in early 2014.

She is expected to stay on as a consultant for season five, slated for a 2014 premiere. A new showrunner has not yet been named.

With Tamaro transitioning from day-to-day responsibilities on Rizzoli & Isles, she will focus her attention on developing new projects.

“This is what we all dream of getting to do,” Tamaro said in a statement to THR. “And I got to do it for four phenomenal seasons. I’m at the top of my game, thanks in large part to this unbelievable experience and show. It’s time to challenge myself and develop new projects. TNT and Warner Horizon have been a dream to work with, and I look forward to doing it again. The heartache for me will be leaving the day-to-day working relationship with an incredible cast and crew.”

Tamaro developed Rizzoli & Isles from characters created by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen. Rizzoli & Isles stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander as Jane Rizzoli, a tough Boston police detective, and Maura Isles, a medical examiner from a privileged background. Brian Goodman, Jordan Bridges, Lorraine Bracco and Bruce McGill co-star.

Rizzoli & Isles has averaged 8.4 million viewers in Live+7 ratings this season, up 6 percent from last year, with 2.9 million among adults 25-54 and 2.3 million among adults 18-49.

The news comes weeks after the death of Rizzoli & Isles regular Lee Thompson Young, who was set to return as a regular in season five.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
Twitter: @insidethetube