TNT renews 'Leverage'

TNT drama "Leverage" has been renewed for a fifth season by the cabler, with 15 episodes to air next summer. Starring Timothy Hutton, "Leverage" has improved in viewers in each of its first four seasons and now averages 4.8 million (1.9 million in adults 18-49). Overall viewership has improved 10% compared to season three. "While many shows decline in their second, third or fourth seasons, 'Leverage' has defied the odds and continued to climb," said TNT, TBS and TCM programming chief Michael Wright. The fourth season of "Leverage" takes a break after the Aug. 28 airing, then resumes in November. TNT renewed freshmen "Falling Skies" and "Franklin & Bash" in July and sophomore "Rizzoli & Isles" in August, but canceled second-year series "Men of a Certain Age." The network is also preparing to bid farewell to retiring drama "The Closer." Dean Devlin (Electric Entertainment), John Rogers and Chris Downey exec produce "Leverage." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com