Ray Donovan
Ray Donovan is an American crime drama television series created by Ann Biderman for Showtime, starring Liev Schreiber as the title character, a professional "fixer" who resolves scandals and crises for Los Angeles' elite while grappling with his own dysfunctional family from Boston.[1] The series premiered on June 30, 2013, and concluded after seven seasons and 82 episodes on January 19, 2020, exploring themes of loyalty, violence, and redemption in the underbelly of Hollywood.[1] A follow-up television film, Ray Donovan: The Movie, directed by David Hollander, was released on January 14, 2022, providing closure to the Donovan family's story by returning them to their Boston roots.[1] The narrative centers on Ray Donovan, who leads a team handling bribes, threats, and cover-ups for celebrities, athletes, and moguls, but his life unravels when his imprisoned father, Mickey (Jon Voight), is released and disrupts the family dynamic.[2] Key supporting cast includes Eddie Marsan as Ray's loyal brother Terry, Dash Mihok as his impulsive brother Bunchy, Pooch Hall as his half-brother Daryll, and Paula Malcomson and Kerris Dorsey as his wife and daughter, respectively.[3] Voight's portrayal of the cunning and destructive Mickey earned widespread acclaim, contributing to the show's gritty exploration of Irish-American family ties and moral ambiguity.[4] Critically, Ray Donovan received praise for its intense storytelling and Schreiber's stoic performance, holding an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb from over 98,000 users and a 72% approval on Rotten Tomatoes across its seasons.[1] The series garnered 42 award nominations, including four Primetime Emmy nods for Schreiber in Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) and Golden Globe nominations for him in Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama (2014, 2017, 2018).[5][6] It also won four awards, such as Jon Voight's Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2014, solidifying its status as a premium cable staple.[7][6]Overview
Premise
Ray Donovan is an American crime drama television series centered on Ray Donovan, a professional "fixer" who resolves scandals, threats, and cover-ups for Los Angeles' elite clientele, including celebrities, athletes, and business moguls.[2] Ray primarily works as a fixer for the powerful Los Angeles law firm Goodman/Drexler, handling bribes, payoffs, and other illicit activities to protect his high-profile clients from public exposure and legal repercussions.[4][8] Despite his success in managing the problems of others, Ray's life is complicated by his dysfunctional Boston Irish-American family, marked by deep-seated issues of trauma, addiction, and criminal involvement.[4] The central conflict arises when Ray's estranged father, Mickey Donovan, is unexpectedly released from prison after serving time for murder, disrupting Ray's carefully controlled existence and forcing him to confront his painful past.[2] Mickey, a charismatic yet sociopathic figure, seeks to reconnect with his family and insert himself into Ray's business, exacerbating tensions within the household.[4] Ray's wife, Abby, worries about the influence of their family's history on their children, Bridget and Conor, while his brothers—Bunchy, who grapples with addiction and emotional scars from childhood abuse, and Terry, who manages a gym but contends with personal demons including Parkinson's disease—add layers of chaos through their own entanglements with crime and recovery.[9] These family dynamics drive the narrative, exploring Ray's relentless efforts to shield his loved ones from their collective baggage while navigating the blurred boundaries between the criminal underworld and Hollywood's corridors of power.[4] The series' setting evolves from Los Angeles, where seasons 1 through 5 unfold amid the glamour and grit of the entertainment industry, to New York City for seasons 6 and 7, reflecting Ray's professional relocation and the family's attempt to start anew following personal crises.[10] Overarching themes of loyalty, redemption, and the inescapable pull of familial bonds underscore the plot, as Ray balances his role as protector with the moral ambiguities of his profession.[11]Genre and style
Ray Donovan is primarily classified as a crime drama, incorporating elements of family saga and psychological thriller. The series follows a professional fixer navigating the criminal underbelly of Hollywood while grappling with personal demons, blending high-stakes intrigue with introspective character studies.[12][13] Stylistically, the show employs dark, gritty cinematography that contrasts the glamorous skylines of Los Angeles with shadowy, urban grit, underscoring the moral decay beneath the city's facade. Non-linear flashbacks frequently reveal layers of family trauma, disrupting the narrative to highlight psychological scars from the past. While voiceover narration by protagonist Ray Donovan is used sparingly to convey internal conflict, the series favors visceral action and terse dialogue to propel its story.[12][13][14] Thematically, Ray Donovan delves into intergenerational trauma stemming from childhood abuse, particularly the sexual molestation of the Donovan brothers by a Catholic priest, which perpetuates cycles of violence and emotional repression across generations. It examines the corrupting influence of power and money through Ray's role as a fixer, who employs morally dubious tactics to shield the elite. The series also explores Irish-American identity, rooted in the family's South Boston Catholic heritage, portraying exile, reinvention, and stereotypes of criminality and resilience. Central to its narrative is the moral ambiguity of "fixing" problems, where protective instincts blur into ethical compromise.[15][16] The tone balances intense action sequences—such as brutal confrontations—with raw emotional family dynamics and pointed satire of Hollywood's excess, critiquing the industry's superficiality without descending into caricature. Often compared to The Sopranos for its portrayal of dysfunctional family-crime intersections, Ray Donovan distinguishes itself by emphasizing professional "fixing" services over organized mob life, though creator Ann Biderman has clarified it is not intended as an homage.[12][17][18]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of Ray Donovan centers on the dysfunctional Donovan family and Ray's inner circle, portraying their complex relationships and personal struggles in the high-stakes world of Los Angeles power players. Liev Schreiber stars as Raymond "Ray" Donovan, the stoic and resourceful fixer who handles crises for Hollywood's rich and famous while grappling with his own haunted past, including childhood abuse, and the demands of protecting his family. Schreiber's portrayal earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Jon Voight plays Mickey Donovan, Ray's manipulative and recently paroled ex-convict father, whose chaotic return to the family injects constant disruption and embodies the destructive legacy of neglect and abuse.[19] Voight's performance as the charismatic yet murderous low-life garnered him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2014, and he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series in 2014. Paula Malcomson portrays Abigail "Abby" Donovan, Ray's devoted wife from their South Boston roots, who navigates the strains of family life, her husband's infidelity, and a terminal illness across the series, all while aspiring to fit into LA's elite circles. Her character highlights the emotional toll of Ray's secretive profession on their marriage. Eddie Marsan depicts Terrence "Terry" Donovan, Ray's eldest brother and a former boxer suffering from Parkinson's disease, who runs a local gym but becomes reluctantly entangled in the family's criminal activities despite his efforts to maintain independence. Dash Mihok embodies Bunchy Donovan, the most vulnerable of Ray's brothers, scarred by childhood sexual abuse from a priest, leading to lifelong battles with addiction, psychological trauma, and susceptibility to manipulation, particularly from their father.[20] Pooch Hall plays Daryll Donovan, Ray's half-brother and Mickey's illegitimate son, an aspiring actor and driver who gets drawn into the family's criminal schemes, providing comic relief and highlighting tensions of loyalty and ambition in Hollywood. Steven Bauer appears as Avi, Ray's fiercely loyal Israeli enforcer and right-hand man, providing muscle for operations while occasionally challenging Ray's decisions with his pragmatic insight. Kerris Dorsey plays Bridget Donovan, Ray and Abby's intelligent teenage daughter, whose rebellious phase involves a forbidden romance with a foster child of a rap star, forcing her to mature rapidly amid family turmoil. Devon Bagby portrays Conor Donovan, the couple's younger son, who inherits the family's volatile temper and receives misguided advice from his grandfather Mickey, navigating bullying and the shadows of his parents' world. Notable guest appearances in major arcs include Susan Sarandon as Samantha "Sam" Winslow, a powerful and ruthless Hollywood studio executive who becomes a key client and antagonist for Ray starting in season 5.Recurring cast
Katherine Moennig portrayed Lena, Ray Donovan's trusted assistant and confidante who managed office logistics and conducted research for his fixing operations.[21] Described as a no-nonsense lesbian character who combined toughness with allure, Lena served as an essential part of Ray's team, handling sensitive tasks that supported the core family dynamics without overshadowing them.[21] Her role contributed to the series' exploration of the criminal underbelly of Hollywood by providing operational support in subplots involving cover-ups and investigations. Lena appears in seasons 1-4, after which she leaves to start her own private security firm. Peter Jacobson portrayed Lee Drexler, a Hollywood agent and key client who provided Ray with many fixing jobs involving high-profile scandals.[22] As the tempestuous law partner of Ezra Goldman, Drexler was depicted as a foul-mouthed, demanding figure whose volatile personality created tension in Ray's professional life, forcing Ray to navigate his ego while executing cover-ups.[22] Drexler's recurring presence across seasons 1 through 3 amplified the show's depiction of the entertainment industry's seedy side, offering opportunities for subplots centered on celebrity crises and legal maneuvering without dominating the Donovan family focus.[23] Dominic Colon appeared as Tito, Avi Rudin's associate who assisted in enforcement tasks for Ray's operations. Tito's role added layers to the criminal elements of the series, participating in intimidation and cleanup efforts that supported the main arcs involving the Donovan brothers. His contributions provided tension in action-oriented subplots, emphasizing the gritty logistics of fixing in Los Angeles. Over the series, some recurring characters like Daryll evolved into series regulars, underscoring the interconnectedness of supporting players in the Donovan universe.Production
Development
Ray Donovan was created by Ann Biderman, who drew inspiration from the real-life Hollywood fixers of the studio era, such as Eddie Mannix and Howard Strickling, who managed scandals for stars in the 1920s and 1930s. Biderman's concept blended this fixer archetype with themes of Irish-American family trauma, influenced by her fascination with Boston's clergy sexual abuse scandals and the city's criminal underbelly. She pitched the series to Showtime as a high-intensity drama about a professional "fixer" navigating elite clients and personal demons, positioning it as a more hardcore alternative to shows like Sons of Anarchy. The pilot episode was written by Biderman and directed by Allen Coulter, capturing the dual worlds of Hollywood power plays and South Boston family strife.[24] Showtime greenlit the project for a full 12-episode first season in June 2012, with a premiere slated for summer 2013.[24] Executive producers on the series included Bryan Zuriff and Mark Gordon, alongside Biderman, who served as showrunner for the first two seasons.[24] The writing team prioritized serialized narratives driven by intergenerational family arcs, emphasizing emotional depth over standalone procedural elements to explore themes of loyalty, redemption, and inherited violence. In August 2014, following the production of season 2, Biderman stepped down as showrunner, transitioning to a consulting role while David Hollander assumed leadership for seasons 3 through 7.[25] Under Hollander, the series underwent a significant creative shift in season 6, relocating the primary setting from Los Angeles to New York City to inject new dynamics into Ray's personal and professional rebuild.[26] This move allowed for expanded exploration of urban anonymity and political intrigue, refreshing the family's ongoing conflicts.[26] After the series wrapped its seventh and final season in January 2020, no major creative developments occurred until planning for a concluding feature film commenced later that year, leading to its announcement in February 2021.[27] The film, written by Hollander and starring Liev Schreiber, aimed to resolve lingering plot threads from the abrupt cancellation.[27]Filming
The first five seasons of Ray Donovan were primarily filmed on location in Los Angeles, California, utilizing a variety of real-world sites to capture the show's urban and coastal settings. Key locations included Ray Donovan's family home at 2003 Delphine Lane in Calabasas, the Sunset Strip at 8401 West Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood for hotel scenes, Malibu beaches for waterfront sequences, and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles for transit-related action.[28][29][30] Additional shooting occurred at Hollywood studios and areas like South Los Angeles to recreate East Coast influences tied to the Donovan family's Boston roots.[31][32] Starting with season six, production shifted to New York City for greater urban authenticity, reflecting the storyline's relocation. Filming took place across Manhattan (including the Four Seasons Hotel and Tribeca streets), Brooklyn (such as Sunset Park's Irish pubs), Queens (O'Connor Park at 32nd and 33rd Avenues, and Long Island City rooftops with Queensboro Bridge views), and upstate areas like Nyack for suburban scenes.[33][34][35] This move allowed for on-location captures of bridges like the Verrazano and Queensboro, as well as boxing gyms in Manhattan's Trinity area.[33][36] Each season typically produced 10 to 12 episodes, with filming spanning several months to accommodate the hour-long format's demanding schedule—often beginning in early spring and wrapping by late summer or fall for timely airing.[30] Production faced logistical hurdles, particularly in coordinating Los Angeles film permits amid a surge in local television shoots during the early seasons.[30] In New York, urban density and variable weather added complexities to exterior shots, though no major delays were reported for the later seasons.[34] Technically, the series was shot digitally using ARRI Alexa cameras paired with Leitz Summilux-C lenses to achieve a cinematic quality suitable for premium cable.[37] Cinematographers emphasized dynamic handheld work to heighten emotional intimacy in character-driven scenes, complemented by practical effects for realistic depictions of violence and action.[38] Post-production, including color grading to maintain a consistent moody aesthetic across locations, was handled through Showtime's in-house processes to align with the network's broadcast standards.[38]Episodes
Season 1 (2013)
The first season introduces Ray Donovan as a professional fixer navigating the high-stakes world of Los Angeles celebrities and power brokers, where his expertise in resolving scandals and crises is constantly tested. The narrative centers on the sudden release of Ray's estranged father, Mickey, from prison after 20 years, which upends the fragile stability Ray has built for his family and career, forcing confrontations with long-buried secrets and loyalties. Themes of family dysfunction and redemption emerge as Ray balances his professional obligations with protecting his brothers, Bunchy and Terry, from their shared traumatic past, while Mickey's chaotic reentry amplifies internal conflicts.[2][39]Season 2 (2014)
Season 2 escalates the family tensions as Ray is compelled by the FBI to retrieve Mickey from Mexico following events from the previous season, drawing him deeper into governmental scrutiny and personal therapy mandated by his wife, Abby. A major arc involves a scandal surrounding a prominent Hollywood client, which intertwines Ray's fixing operations with Mickey's opportunistic schemes, highlighting themes of betrayal and the blurred lines between protection and complicity. Family rifts widen as Ray's children grapple with their identities amid the chaos, culminating in resolutions that underscore the Donovan clan's enduring volatility.[40][41]Season 3 (2015)
In the third season, Ray's professional life intersects with a high-profile kidnapping case involving a wealthy family, exposing him to elite circles and intensifying FBI investigations into his activities. A central theme revolves around Bunchy's confrontation with his history of church-related abuse, which reverberates through the family and ties into broader explorations of trauma and institutional corruption. Mickey's ventures into new criminal enterprises further strain relationships, while Abby's social aspirations add layers of domestic pressure, leading to arcs focused on accountability and fractured trust.[42][43]Season 4 (2016)
Season 4 shifts focus to power struggles as Ray clashes with a formidable media mogul, complicating his efforts to safeguard his clients and family after a violent incident. Abby's diagnosis with cancer becomes a pivotal emotional arc, forcing the Donovans to confront mortality and unity amid escalating threats from external enemies and internal divisions. Themes of legacy and sacrifice dominate as Ray maneuvers through betrayals in the entertainment industry, with resolutions emphasizing the cost of his fixer lifestyle on personal bonds.[44][45]Season 5 (2017)
The fifth season delves into betrayals from trusted allies, propelling Ray into a cycle of violence and legal repercussions in Los Angeles following a personal tragedy. With the family splintered by grief and secrets, arcs explore Ray's attempts at anger management and reconciliation, juxtaposed against Mickey's renewed involvement in the household and the brothers' individual pursuits. Themes of loss and vengeance intensify the narrative, highlighting the escalating consequences of past decisions on the Donovan legacy.[46][47]Season 6 (2018)
Relocating to New York marks a significant pivot in season 6, where Ray attempts to rebuild his life and fixing business after profound personal losses, integrating into the city's political underbelly. Family members scatter to pursue independence—Bunchy with a new venture, Terry in a fresh role, and others navigating relationships—while old adversaries resurface, testing Ray's resolve. The season emphasizes themes of reinvention and isolation, as the Donovans grapple with separation from their LA roots and the pull of familiar patterns.[48][49]Season 7 (2019–2020)
The final season brings culminating confrontations with lingering enemies from the family's history, set against the backdrop of New York as Ray seeks closure amid ongoing investigations. Arcs center on reckoning with personal losses and moral reckonings, with each Donovan facing pivotal choices that define their paths—Bunchy defending his stability, Terry confronting health issues, and the group uniting against external threats. Themes of legacy and finality resolve the series' exploration of redemption, spanning 82 episodes across seven seasons with an increasing emphasis on familial healing.[50][51]Episode structure and airing
Episodes of Ray Donovan typically run 50 to 60 minutes, following a standard hour-long drama format that includes cold opens to hook viewers, multiple act breaks for commercial interruptions, and occasional voiceover narration by the protagonist Ray Donovan to provide insight into his mindset.[52] The series comprises 82 episodes across seven seasons, with seasons 1 through 6 each featuring 12 episodes and season 7 consisting of 10 episodes.[53]| Season | Episodes |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 12 |
| 4 | 12 |
| 5 | 12 |
| 6 | 12 |
| 7 | 10 |
Release and distribution
Broadcast history
Ray Donovan premiered on the premium cable network Showtime on June 30, 2013, marking the largest debut audience for any original series in the network's history at the time.[59] The series aired new seasons annually, with Showtime renewing it each year through the announcement of the seventh season in December 2018; that final season debuted on November 17, 2019.[56] Viewership for the first season averaged 1.35 million viewers in live plus same-day metrics, setting a benchmark for Showtime dramas.[59] Subsequent seasons saw fluctuations, peaking in the second season with the finale drawing 1.98 million live plus same-day viewers.[60] By the seventh season, averages had declined to around 800,000 viewers in similar metrics.[61] Showtime employed its premium cable model for Ray Donovan, providing subscribers with unlimited on-demand access to episodes and full seasons alongside linear broadcasts, which helped build cumulative audiences exceeding 5 million weekly viewers including replays during early seasons.[62] Promotion emphasized high-production trailers released across digital platforms and leveraged celebrity tie-ins, such as guest appearances by stars like Katie Holmes, to attract attention within Hollywood-centric marketing campaigns.[63] Internationally, the series debuted on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom and Ireland on July 16, 2013, shortly after its U.S. launch.[57] It became available on Netflix in select regions, including parts of Europe and Asia-Pacific, prior to 2020, before licensing shifts occurred.[64] As of 2025, Ray Donovan streams globally on Paramount+, reflecting the integration of Showtime's catalog into the service following corporate mergers.[2] The series bolstered Showtime's drama slate, securing third place among the network's original series in total viewership behind Homeland and Shameless, with multiplatform weekly audiences often surpassing 5 million.[60] Nonetheless, its performance trailed contemporaries like Homeland, which consistently drew higher premiere and average audiences during overlapping runs.[60] No linear broadcasts have occurred in 2025, with availability limited to streaming platforms.[2]Home media
The first season of Ray Donovan was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States on June 10, 2014, by Paramount Home Entertainment under the Showtime and CBS DVD labels.[65] Subsequent seasons followed in a generally annual pattern, with Season 2 on May 26, 2015; Season 3 on December 29, 2015; Season 4 on December 27, 2016; Season 5 on January 30, 2018; Season 6 on April 9, 2019; and Season 7 on May 5, 2020, primarily on DVD as Blu-ray releases tapered off after Season 3.[65] A complete series box set encompassing all seven seasons was issued on DVD on October 25, 2022, distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment.[66]| Season | Release Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 10, 2014 | DVD/Blu-ray |
| 2 | May 26, 2015 | DVD/Blu-ray |
| 3 | December 29, 2015 | DVD/Blu-ray |
| 4 | December 27, 2016 | DVD |
| 5 | January 30, 2018 | DVD |
| 6 | April 9, 2019 | DVD |
| 7 | May 5, 2020 | DVD |
| Complete Series | October 25, 2022 | DVD |