Exclusive: TNT Developing Planted "Major Crimes" Spin-Off to Star "The Closer" Vet Jon Tenney
by Michael Ausiello
5/20/14


TNT could be spinning off the spin-off!

TVLine has learned exclusively that the cable net is developing a planted offshoot of "Major Crimes" that would focus on franchise vet Jon Tenney‘s FBI agent character.





Tenney originated the role of Special Agent Fritz Howard on "The Closer", and has brought the character over to "Major Crimes" on several occasions.

Tenney, as well as a handful of new characters — including Special Operations Bureau commander Ann McGinnis, described as a modern-day Annie Oakley — will be featured in the seventh episode of "Major Crimes‘" upcoming third season (bowing June 9).





There’s also buzz that the potential spin-off could prominently feature another "Major Crimes" character — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who debuted mid Season 2 as Lt. Chuck Cooper, a SIS (Special Investigation Section) supervisor who was brought in to help protect Raydor’s ward Rusty from a stalker.

A TNT rep declined to comment.

http://tvline.com/2014/05/20/major-crimes-spin-off-jon-tenney-tnt-agent-fritz-howard/

"Major Crimes" Boss on Possible Fritz Spin-Off
Jun 1, 2014
by Adam Bryant


In terms of the "Major Crimes" family, Season 3 will also dedicate a little more time to extended family member Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney), who has reprised his role from "The Closer" off-and-on during the first two seasons. And this season's Fritz spotlight episode is going to be bigger than ever.

"Episode 7 involves another section of the L.A.P.D. called the Special Operations Bureau," creator Jamess Duff says. "The S.O.B., as its called inside the department, is in charge of the largest municipal air force in the world, the dive team, the SWAT team, the bomb team, criminal intelligence, gang intelligence, K9. ... We're rolling out S.O. B. [for] a huge, disturbing, frustrating manhunt involving Major Crimes and S.O.B. in tactical support."





However, Duff says that some reports that the episode will serve as possible pilot for a spin-off series may be premature.

"It's an episode of Major Crimes, slightly super-sized because it's in the middle of our season when usually do very well," he says. "I guess the episode could serve as proof of concept for a show about S.O.B., but it's not what I would call a spin-off or a pilot. If TNT wants to order a series based on it, I won't tell them no. But I will tell you with absolute frankness that I have no deal to do a series called S.O.B. at this particular moment."





But Duff doesn't rule out seeing more of Fritz and that team if audiences respond to the story.

"We thought we'd give our audiences a great big thrillride," he says. "It puts Fritz in the center of it. If it looks interesting or feels interesting, we might pursue more stories like that, especially in the back nine."

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Major-Crimes-Rusty-Mom-Ever-Carradine-1082389.aspx