‘Masters of Sex’ Renewed for Season 3 (Along with ‘Ray Donovan’) at Showtime
Paired together since they were first announced at Showtime, “Masters of Sex” and “Ray Donovan” continue to celebrate as one with the joint news that both shows have been renewed for third seasons. Production will begin for each series in early 2015.
“Both ‘Ray Donovan’ and ‘Masters of Sex’ are quintessentially Showtime: bold, provocative, premium television with production values at the top of the food chain,” Showtime President David Nevins said in a statement. “These acclaimed shows are filled with complex and interesting characters and settings that will no doubt give audiences compelling television to invest in for seasons to come.”
Each series earned another 12-episode order from its proud parent company. “Ray Donovan” is averaging almost a million more viewers per week than its lead-in “Masters of Sex” (5 million vs. 4 million), but the Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan-starring period drama earned more Emmy nominations in 2014 — and Allison Janney already won for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama. “Donovan” star Jon Voight has been nominated for Supporting Actor at Monday’s Emmys, and Lizzy Caplan is up for Actress.
Both shows are gaining viewers as their second seasons progress. “Masters of Sex” is up 18 percent in viewership since its Season 2 premiere, while “Ray Donovan” has gained 16 percent to date. No release date was announced for Season 3, but it seems like a safe bet to expect them to premiere in the summer of 2015, seeing as the shift for Season 2 has helped bolster ratings.
Check out the 66th Annual Primetime Emmys Monday, August 25 on NBC to see if either of these fine shows walk away with trophies.
