We are honored to have worked with executive producer Dean Devlin, Electric Entertainment, creators John Rogers and Chris Downey, and all the cast and production crew on Leverage. We look forward to exploring new opportunities to work with them again in the future. We also want to thank the passionately devoted fans of Leverage, who have been the driving force behind its success.

TNT Spokesperson

Q: Describe the process of selecting costumes. Where do you start?  From where do you draw inspiration? And how long does it take to put an outfit together?

Nadine Haders: The process of selecting costumes always starts with the script. The first thing I do is read it and then do what we call a breakdown. That entails literally breaking down the script in terms of cast and guest stars; how many changes in reference to how many script days, days versus nights, exteriors versus interiors, stunt & photo doubles and finally all of the background players. This part of the process is rather time consuming, but it is so important in figuring out the course of action for prepping each episode. The second step is meeting with the episode’s director and writer to go through the script, page by page. This is when I give my ideas and opinions, and we discuss. After this, I have another meeting with my department where we work out our game plan. I should point out that we shoot a new episode every seven days. Breakneck speed is required.

As far as inspiration, aside from what’s scripted, I use my knowledge of the main characters and my own imagination to build on their “con” looks. I also do quite a bit of research depending on the con. I draw inspiration from vast sources from all over the place, again, all depending on the episode. I work very quickly.

Q: How would you describe each character’s look?

Haders: The characters definitely has their own styles. I came to Leverage early on, so I really got to form the look of the show and each of the characters. This always begins as a conversation with each of the cast members. You need to be able to express the essence of each character quickly so you give them identifiable looks. You also have to move the story from the costumes, as well. A lot of thought goes into each decision. I also do fittings with each actor for every episode. Fit and silhouette are very important to me. I have my cutter/fitter/tailor in every fitting with me to make sure all will look great on screen. It’s hard for me to put into words “their looks” because it is such an organic process. They just look the way they look to me, each one evolving as the show as continues.

Q: What has been your favorite episode, and what is your favorite costume?

Haders: My favorite episodes are “The Studio Job,” written by Scott Veach, directed by Jonathan Frakes; “The 10 Li’l Grifters Job,” written by Geoffrey Thorne and directed by Arvin Brown; “The Van Gogh Job,” written by John Rogers and Chris Downey, and directed by John Rogers; and “The DB Cooper Job,” written by John Rogers & Chris Downey and directed by Marc Roskin.

For “The Studio Job,” I designed costume for Beth that to this day, remains my favorite from the show. I also designed Gina’s black super-shouldered pleather jacket. Add all the guys “con” looks & guest star John Schneider, and that episode was a blast!

When I first read the script for “The 10 Li’l Grifters Job,” I was totally daunted.  After Geoffrey, Arvin hatched a plan to make the script work within budget constraints, it became one of the funniest to do. The episode was thrift-store mania and crazy imaginations running amuck. We had 100+ background performers, and they all had to have been a detective from some point in history. It was all hands on deck getting them all dressed. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard.

“The Van Gogh Job” was one of the hardest but most rewarding episodes to work on. I flew to LA for three days and pulled 1930s and ’40s costumes by myself. I was up on a ladder 15 feet in the air, from the time the shop opened at 8 a.m. until close at 6 p.m. It was back-breaking work, but I’m proudest of this episode. I designed the yellow cape that Parker wears as Dorothy. I was super inspired by the painting in the script, and I designed the episode around it. This was my favorite episode.

“The DB Cooper Job” – ahhhh, the 1970s. I love that the writers took a true story and somehow came up with an ending while immersing our cast in the plot. I designed Beth’s flight attendant dress, jacket and hat. I had the most fun with the guys. They were all so into it, especially Christian. He embraced the ’70s like no one else. I had a blast on this one.

Q: What character do you have the most fun with?

Haders: I love them all. We are all on this journey of discovery together, so we have really become a family. It’s been a great run. I’m a very lucky person to be able to be so creative and have fun with such a fantastic crew, writers, directors and actors.

TNT Also Scores Primetime Growth and Strength in Time-Shifted Viewing, Led by The Closer Finale’s 10.7 Million Viewers in Live + 3

As the summer ratings race reaches the home stretch, TNT is on track to score several remarkable competitive victories, securing its position as home to basic cable’s top original dramas. Leading the pack are returning hits like The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles and breakout newcomers like Major Crimes, Perception and Dallas, which together rank as basic cable’s Top 5 scripted series for the summer-to-date. In addition, TNT’s epic sci-fi drama Falling Skies reigns as basic cable’s #1 summer drama with adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.Overall, TNT’s summer originals account for six of basic cable’s Top 10 scripted series among total viewers, four of the Top 10 with adults 25-54 and three of the Top 10 with adults 18-49.

Basic cable’s Top 5 scripted series this summer among total viewers:
#1. The Closer (8.0 million viewers)
#2. Rizzoli & Isles (7.8 million viewers)
#3. Major Crimes  (7.2 million viewers)
#4. Perception (6.1 million viewers)
#5. Dallas (5.9 million viewers)Basic cable’s #1 drama series this summer with adults 18-49:
#1. Falling Skies (2.4 million adults 18-49)Basic cable’s Top 3 scripted series this summer with adults 25-54:
#1. Falling Skies (2.8 million adults 25-54)
#2. Rizzoli & Isles (2.8 million adults 25-54)
#3. Dallas (2.5 million adults 25-54)

New TNT Series Top the Charts
TNT will mark its third consecutive summer claiming cable’s #1 new series, with Major Crimes following in the footsteps of Rizzoli & Isles in 2010 and Falling Skies in 2011. In addition, TNT is home to this summer’s Top 3 new series on all of television, with Major Crimes topping the list, followed by Perception and Dallas.

Cable’s Top 3 new series this year among total viewers
#1. Major Crimes (7.2 million viewers)
#2. Perception (6.1 million viewers)
#3. Dallas (5.9 million viewers)

Cable’s Top 3 new drama series this year among adults 25-54
#1. Dallas (2.5 million adults 25-54)
#2. Perception (2.0 million adults 25-54)
#3. Major Crimes (2.0 million adults 25-54)

TNT Dominates List of Top Scripted Series Telecasts
When it comes to individual telecasts, TNT’s lineup of original series currently account for all of basic cable’s Top 15 scripted series telecasts this summer, with the series finale of The Closer coming in at #1. Also within the Top 15 are several episodes of Rizzoli & Isles and the series debuts of Dallas (8.3 million viewers Live + 7 – June 13) and Perception (7.5 million viewers Live + 7 – July 9).

TNT Series Expand Significantly through Time-Shifted Viewing
Time-shifted viewing data indicates millions of viewers are making a concerted effort to catch every episode of their favorite TNT dramas.  Each TNT drama has added at least 1.8 million viewers through time-shifted viewing, with Falling Skies, Perception and Dallas exceeding 2 million time-shifting viewers and The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles exceeding 3 million. In addition, The Closer‘s series finale has already grown to 10.7 million viewers in Live + 3, the biggest delivery ever for a TNT original series.

TNT Scores Primetime Growth
Driven by the power of its original series, TNT’s summer primetime averages are up 5% among total viewers, +3% among adults 18-49 and +3% among adults 25-54, compared to summer 2011. In addition, TNT is set to finish the summer as basic cable’s #1 network in total day delivery of adults 25-54.

About TNT
TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Falling Skies, Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like this summer’s The Great Escape and the upcoming Boston Blue (working title) and 72 Hours (working title). In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order and Castle, which starts this year; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

TNT’s The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles were basic cable’s most-watched series last week, while Falling Skies took the series title among adults 25-54 and ranked as basic cable’s #1 scripted program among adults 18-49. Overall, TNT ranked as basic cable’s #1 network for the week in total day delivery of adults 25-54.

TNT is currently home to basic cable’s Top 4 scripted summer series among total viewers – #1) The Closer, #2) Rizzoli & Isles, #3) Perception and #4) Dallas. Among key demos, TNT’s hit sci-fi drama Falling Skies ranks as the summer’s top drama on basic cable with adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. In addition, Perception is cable’s #1 new series for the year-to-date among total viewers, while Dallas is cable’s top new drama with adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

With its original series continuing to turn in strong performances, TNT’s summer primetime averages are up 5% among total viewers, +4% among adults 18-49 and +4% among adults 25-54, compared to summer 2011.

Monday:
TNT’s blockbuster drama The Closer ranked as basic cable’s #1 program for the week, with 5.8 million viewers in Live + Same Day delivery. The episode also garnered 1.3 million adults 18-49 and 1.6 million adults 25-54. The Closer, which ranks as cable’s #1 series this summer, will finish its seven-season run with next Monday’s series finale.

TNT’s new hit series Perception delivered 3.7 million viewers in Live + Same Day, with 1 million adults 18-49 and 1.2 million adults 25-54. Perception currently ranks as cable’s #1 new series for the year-to-date among total viewers and comes in second behind Dallas among the year’s top new dramas with adults 25-54.

Tuesday:
TNT ranked as cable’s #1 network in Tuesday primetime on the strength last week, led by Rizzoli & Isles, which drew more than 4.4 million viewers. Among key adult demos, Rizzoli & Isles garnered 1.1 million adults 18-49 and 1.4 million adults 25-54.

Franklin & Bash brought in 2.2 million viewers Tuesday night, with 798,000 adults 18-49 and 915,000 adults 25-54.

Wednesday:
TNT’s Dallas delivered 3.2 million viewers in Live + Same Day, ranking as cable’s #1 Wednesday night program with total viewers and adults 25-54. The show scored solid growth among key demos compared to the prior week’s episode, with adults 18-49 up 8% to 1 million and adults 25-54 up 9% to 1.3 million. Dallas, which will close out its first season tomorrow night at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), currently reigns as cable’s #1 new drama of 2012-to-date with adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

Sunday:
TNT ranked as basic cable’s #1 network on Sunday night among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, propelled by its slate of action-packed originals.

Hit caper series Leverage got the night started with 2.6 million viewers in Live + Same Day. The show garnered growth among key demos compared to the prior new episode, with adults 18-49 up 5% to 942,000 and adults 25-54 up 4% to 1.2 million.

TNT’s epic drama Falling Skies drew more than 3.3 million viewers. Falling Skies not only ranked as basic cable’s top scripted series for the week among key adult demos but also scored growth over its previous new episode, with adults 18-49 up 10% to 1.7 million and adults 25-54 up 2% to 1.9 million. In its second season, Falling Skies ranks as basic cable’s #1 summer drama among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

TNT’s reality-competition series The Great Escape closed out the night with more than 1 million viewers in Live + Same Day. Like TNT’s other Sunday night originals, The Great Escape grew its demo delivery compared to the previous new episode, with adults 18-49 up 12% to 618,000 and adults 25-54 up 6% to 649,000.

Live + 7:
TNT’s original series continue to build significantly on their deliveries through time-shifted viewing. The following are the final Live + 7 figures for episodes airing the week of July 16:
•   The Closer (July 16): 8.8 million viewers; 2.0 million adults 18-39; 2.7 million adults 25-54
•   Perception (July 16): 7.2 million viewers; 1.9 million adults 18-49; 2.5 million adults 25-54.
•   Rizzoli & Isles (July 17): 8.3 million viewers; 2.3 million adults 18-49; 2.9 million adults 25-54
•   Franklin & Bash (July 17): 4.1 million viewers; 1.7 million adults 18-49; 1.8 million adults 25-54
•   Dallas (July 18): 5.2 million viewers; 1.9 million adults 18-49; 2.3 million adults 25-54
•   Leverage (July 22): 3.9 million viewers; 1.5 million adults 18-49; 1.8 million adults 25-54.
•   Falling Skies (July 22): 5.3 million viewers; 2.6 million adults 18-49; 2.9 million adults 25-54
•   The Great Escape (July 22): 1.5 million viewers; 798,000 adults 18-49; 858,000 adults 25-54

Propelled by its lineup of original series, TNT ranked as basic cable’s #1 network for the week in primetime delivery of adults 18-49. Leading the pack, The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles and Perception reigned as basic cable’s Top 3 programs for the week in total viewers. In the race for demos, TNT’s epic drama Falling Skies and Rizzoli & Isles were among basic cable’s Top 5 dramas for the week with adults 18-49. They were joined by The Closer to account for three of basic cable’s Top 5 scripted programs for the week with adults 25-54.

So far this summer, TNT’s primetime deliveries are up 10% among total viewers, +10% among adults 18-49 and +9% among adults 25-54, compared to summer 2011. TNT is currently home to cable’s Top 4 scripted summer series among total viewers – #1) The Closer, #2) Perception, #3) Rizzoli & Isles and #4) Dallas – as well as two of basic cable’s Top 5 summer dramas among adults 18-49 and four of the Top 5 with adults 25-54.

Monday:

Basic cable’s most-watched program for the week, The Closer, and the new hit series Perception eached achieved solid growth in Live + Same Day delivery last week, outperforming the prior week’s summer premieres among key adult demos.

Last Monday’s episode of The Closer drew 6.4 million viewers in Live + Same Day, topping the previous week’s summer premiere by +4%. Among key demos, The Closer averaged 1.3 million adults 18-49 in Live + Same Day (+3% vs. prior week) and 1.8 million adults 25-54 (+8%).

TNT’s newest original series, Perception, remained strong in its second week, with a total audience of 5.3 million viewers in Live + Same Day. Perception chalked up solid demo growth compared to the prior week’s series premiere, growing its delivery of adults 18-49 by +12% to 1.2 million and adults 25-54 by +8% to 1.7 million.

Tuesday:

Ranking second behind The Closer among basic cable’s top shows for the week and first among basic cable’s Tuesday programs, Rizzoli & Isles pulled in 5.8 million viewers in Live + Same Day, up 6% compared to the prior week. Among key demos, Rizzoli & Isles averaged 1.4 million adults 18-49 and 1.8 million adults 25-54.

TNT’s light-hearted legal drama Franklin & Bash drew 2.9 million viewers in Live + Same Day, up 6% compared to the prior week. Franklin & Bash brought in 937,000 adults 18-49 and 1.1 million adults 25-54.

Wednesday:

Last week’s episode of TNT’s hit series Dallas scored 3.9 million viewers in Live + Same Day delivery, up 7% over the prior week’s episode. Dallas also drew 1.2 million adults 18-49 and grew its delivery of adults 25-54 by +7% to 1.5 million.

Sunday:

With its second summer episode, TNT’s popular caper series Leverage ranked as basic cable’s #1 program in the Sunday 8 p.m. timeslot with adults 25-54. The show drew a total of 2.6 million viewers in Live + Same Day, 899,000 adults 18-49 and 1.1 million adults 25-54.

TNT’s epic drama Falling Skies ranked as basic cable’s #1 Sunday program among adults 25-54 and #1 scripted program with adults 18-49. This week’s episode drew 3.4 million viewers in Live + Same Day, with 1.5 million adults 18-49 and 1.8 million adults 25-54.

Sunday night’s installment of The Great Escape garnered 1.1 million viewers in Live + Same Day, with 554,000 adults 18-49 and 611,000 adults 25-54.

Live + 7:
TNT’s series are enjoying strong growth in Live + 7 delivery according to the most recent time-shifted viewing data:

Rizzoli & Isles (July 3): 8.1 million viewers; 2.4 million adults 18-49; 3.0 million adults 25-54

Franklin & Bash (July 3): 4.9 million viewers; 2.0 million adults 18-49; 2.2 million adults 25-54

Dallas (July 4): 5.1 million viewers; 2.0 million adults 18-49; 2.4 million adults 25-54

Falling Skies (July 8): 5.6 million viewers; 2.6 million adults 18-49; 3.0 million adults 25-54

• The Great Escape (July 8): 1.7 million viewers; 1.0 million adults 18-49; 1.0 million adults 25-54