“Rizzoli & Isles” showrunner Janet Tamaro will step down following the TNT series’ fourth season, an individual with knowledge of the move told TheWrap on Friday.
Tamaro, who has served as executive producer and showrunner on the series, is departing to develop new projects. She will remain on as a consultant for the series, which is based on the series of novels by Tess Gerritsen.
Tamaro said that she’s “at the top of my game” thanks largely to “Rizzoli & Isles,” but that it’s “time to challenge myself.”
“This is what we all dream of getting to do,” Tamaro said. “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.”
Also read: ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ Actor Lee Thompson Young Dead at 29
In total viewers over its four-season run, “Rizzoli & Isles” ranks as the network’s Number 1 show of all time, and is the Number 2 scripted series in ad-supported cable television, behind AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”
The series, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, was struck by tragedy last month, when actor Lee Thompson Young, who played Boston police detective Barry Frost, was found dead of an apparent suicide at age 29.