AMC, Lionsgate, Matthew Weiner Reach Deal on Mad Men

NEW YORK: The signing of a multi-season deal between AMC and Lionsgate will see the hit series Mad Men back for seasons five and six, with creator Matthew Weiner returning as showrunner. 

Additionally, it was announced that Weiner signed a new long-term deal with Lionsgate that extends his contract into a possible seventh season. "I want to thank all of our wonderful fans for their support," said Weiner. "I also want to thank AMC and Lionsgate for agreeing to support the artistic freedom of myself, the cast and the crew so that we can continue to make the show exactly as we have from the beginning. I’m excited to get started on the next chapter of our story."

"AMC’s original programming began with a mission to create bold storytelling of the highest quality, and Mad Men was the perfect expression of that commitment," commented Charlie Collier, the president of AMC. "We’ve been proud to support this show from the day we read Matt’s ground-breaking pilot script and have loved building it with Matt and Lionsgate into the cultural phenomenon it has become. For everyone involved in the show and its passionate fans, we are thrilled to announce that the series will continue on AMC under the exceptional vision of Matt Weiner." 

"We are proud to continue our successful relationships with AMC and the brilliantly talented Matt Weiner, whose vision has created one of the most distinguished series on television," said Kevin Beggs, the president of Lionsgate’s television group. "We also appreciate the passion and patience of Mad Men fans around the world who have been awaiting this good news, and we believe they will be rewarded with many more seasons of this extraordinary and groundbreaking series."   

Read World Screen’s interview with Mad Men star Jon Hamm on the evolution of Don Draper in season four here.