The Last Ship, one of the last shows representing the old TNT, will keep sailing. A month after giving the action drama — currently wrapping its third season — a Season 4 renewal, the network has added a fifth season pickup. Season 4 and 5 will each consist of 10 episodes. They will be shot back-to-back. There is one behind the scenes change on the series, created by Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane who had served as showrunners for the first three seasons and also were announced as showrunners for Season 4. The duo will remain executive producers in Season 5, though Kane will be the sole showrunner.

The Last Ship, part of TNT’s previous push for broad, popcorn entertainment fare, was a breakout hit and has been drawing strong viewership for TNT. In its current third season, the series is reaching an average of 7.1 million viewers per episode across multiple platforms and ranks as one of basic cable’s Top 10 summer dramas with adults 18-49. The season finale is slated for this weekend.

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Given the series’ solid and consistent ratings performance to date, which makes renewals a no-brainer, tacking a Season 5 pickup onto Season 4 to film back-to-back makes sense for TNT, which produces the series. A combined two-season shoot is a practical decision that saves money.

TNT

“The Last Ship has taken viewers on an exciting ride through three truly thrilling seasons,” said Sarah Aubrey, EVP of original programming for TNT. “We look forward to watching the cast and production team ratchet up the drama, action and suspense even more over the next two seasons through summer 2018.”

Under Aubrey and her boss, Kevin Reilly, TNT has been moving into darker, edgier territory with its new series, starting with Animal Kingdom this summer. In addition to The Last Ship, other TNT series representing the network’s old brand include The Librarians and Major Crimes.

The Last Ship stars Eric Dane, Adam Baldwin and Bridget Regan. Based on William Brinkley’s popular novel, the series chronicles the aftermath of a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world’s population. Now, CNO Captain Tom Chandler (Dane) and his crew must confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they may be among the few remaining survivors.

The third season of The Last Ship also stars Charles Parnell, Travis Van Winkle, Marissa Neitling, Christina Elmore, Jocko Sims, Bren Foster and Kevin Michael Martin. The series is produced by Turner’s Studio T in association with Platinum Dunes, whose partners – Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form – serve as executive producers. Co-creators Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane also serve as executive producers, along with director Paul Holahan. Kane will serve as showrunner, having previously served alongside Steinberg for the first three seasons.