Giovanni Rufino/USA Network
The Mark Feuerstein-led drama is one of the few remaining "blue skies" shows on USA's schedule following a creative overhaul last year.
The sun is setting on Royal Pains.
The upcoming eighth season of the USA Network medical drama will be its last, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The final eight-episode run, which was part of a two-season pickup in November 2014, will include the show's 100th episode as well as special musical episode featuring guest star Cloris Leachman.
“Under the direction of talented showrunners Michael Rauch and Andrew Lenchewski, our entire ensemble cast led by Mark Feuerstein, and amazing crew, Royal Pains took viewers on a remarkable, unforgettable journey for eight wonderful seasons,” NBCUniversal Entertainment Networks president Chris McCumber said. “While summer in the Hamptons may never be the same, this last season promises to be an epic ride.”
Added NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment CCO Jeff Wachtel: “Eight seasons of unadulterated joy! Michael, Chewy, Mark and the entire Royal Pains team have been a joy to work with since day one. We will thank them forever for creating such a wonderful way to spend our summers."
Created by Andrew Lenchewski, Royal Pains centers on a former ER doctor, Hank (Mark Feuerstein), who loses his hospital job and moves to the Hamptons with his brother, Evan (Paulo Costanzo), to start a concierge medical practice. Lenchewski serves as a co-showrunner with executive producer Michael Rauch, who exec produce with Rich Frank, Jeff Kwatinetz, Connie Burge, Carol Flint, Jon Sherman and Jessica Ball. Reshma Shetty and Brooke D'Orsay also star in the Universal Cable Productions series.
The final season will welcome back fan-favorites like Campbell Scott, Christine Ebersole and Jill Flint, as well as guest stars including Annie Potts (Designing Women), Teri Polo (The Fosters), Sebastian Roche (The Vampire Diaries), Constance Wu (Fresh off the Boat) and Ana Ortiz (Devious Maids).
"It's with great sadness, but even greater thankfulness, that we prepare for our final summer sunsets as Royal Pains comes to an end. We couldn't have imagined a more talented and dedicated writers' room, cast, or crew, and we couldn't have asked for better partners than USA Network and Universal Cable Productions,” Lenchewski and Rauch said in a joint statement. “We want to thank Bonnie Hammer, Chris McCumber, Jeff Wachtel and every other member of our network and studio family for tirelessly supporting us over eight magical seasons, and more importantly, for giving us the opportunity to complete this series on our own terms. We'll always have The Hamptons."
Although a steady ratings performer for the network, the decision to wrap Royal Pains is no surprise. In addition to hitting episode 100 – a sweet spot for syndication – the series is one of the few remaining "blue skies" series on USA's schedule since it underwent a dramatic creative overhaul in 2015. In a bid to attract millenials, the cabler has gone darker with series like Golden Globe winner Mr. Robot, the alien invasion series Colony and the forthcoming cartel drama Queen of the South. Other recently canceled series include the edgy escort drama Satisfaction.
When speaking with THR in June, Rauch said he and Lenchewski were heading into seasons seven and eight, which shot back-to-back last summer, with the assumption that season eight would be their swan song. "We want to seize this opportunity and make assumptions that the end of season eight will be the end of the series so that we can plan accordingly," Rauch said.
Feuerstein has already booked his next role: playing the husband of Sarah Wayne Callies' character on Fox's Prison Break revival.
The farewell season of Royal Pains kicks off Wednesday, May 18 at 10 p.m.
Watch the season eight trailer below:
USA Network Royal Pains
