MAD MEN Greenlit For Three More Seasons!

‘Mad Men‘ creator Matt Weiner told Deadline.com that he’s “thrilled” about his new three-year $30 million deal, and will be starting work on the heavily delayed fifth season in July 2011!  

While this is very good news for ‘Mad Men‘ fans, Weiner says the deal almost didn’t happen as there were several rejected proposals put forward by series producer Lionsgate TV and network broadcaster AMC. These included shortening the episodes from 47 to 45 mins in order to have more commercial breaks, reducing the number of regulars on the show and delaying the fifth season’s premiere until March 2012!

He said:

“I walked away from it 4-5 times in the last few days.

“It’s never been about money. I wanted to do the show I wanted to do and the show the audience has come to expect.”

The deal has been made on condition that the cast are safe from financial concerns for the next 3 seasons, but Weiner says he reserves the right to cut actors “on creative basis”.

Additionally, Weiner still be able to continue with the 47-minute versions of ‘Mad Men‘ for Season 5’s 13 episodes on VOD, DVD and all other platforms! AMC will air episodes 2-12 in 45-minute cuts – put together by Weiner. The season premiere and finale will remain at the usual 47 minutes.

So…the all important question is…when will the new series get its premiere? Weiner apparently insisted on a 2011 Season 5 premiere but he said that AMC had informed him back in October that, after having to accomodate for 4 other series, no premiere before March 2012 would be possible.

But what happens after these brand new seasons? Well, Weiner‘s deal is a 3-year renewal, and it looks like it may be his last.

He adds:

“These will be the last 3 seasons.

“I’m going to take it one year at a time without the distraction to ever have to go through this again.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and overwhelmed that I get to finish telling the stories I want to tell.”

Can the stories really be dragged out for 3 more seasons? I thought it could only stretch to a couple?