TVLine: Matt’s Inside Line on Sons of Anarchy S4 Finale

Check out what Matt Mitovich had to say about Sons of Anarchy in his latest column over at TVLine.com.

Season 4’s two-part finale kicks off this Tuesday, and it is just as gripping, satisfying and shocking as you expect it to be. Opie’s shooting of Clay of course has massive ripple effects, including one seemingly minor – yet potentially major – death in this week’s hour. Among the standout performances in the finale, Charlie Hunnam seethes intensity while holding someone at knifepoint, Katey Sagal deftly handles a scene that will surely be watched with great expectation, and even Rockmond Dunbar gets some moving moments as the sheriff. I can also say that Vic Mackey puts in an appearance, Jax/Tara fans will want to have on hand a bottle of wine, two boxes of Kleenex and one set of cheerleader pom-poms (but not necessarily in that order), and the second hour packs a massive twist that I absolutely did not see coming. Also: For those who ever longed to see Jax naked from head to toe, soaking wet, Christmas is here early.

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Honestly, did we need anymore of a reason to be excited?

Charlie’s biker is riding a tightrope in ‘Sons of Anarchy’

He plays Jax Teller, the golden-boy heir apparent to a violent, arms-dealing, drug-smuggling California biker gang.

The tattooed Jax has killed for the club and served time in prison, but the outlaws are a tight brotherhood who will do anything to protect each other, their families and their lovely small town, Charming. He’s haunted by letters from his late father — who wanted the club to go legit. But now, with a girlfriend and two young sons, the loyal Jax wants out of the club, even though it’s the only family he has ever known.

Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal of this complex character — loving father, caring boyfriend and unapologetic murderer — has helped make “Sons of Anarchy” FX’s biggest show, even topping the popularity of the network’s mega-hit, “The Shield.” Show runner Kurt Sutter explains that it’s an extremely demanding role that requires a broad range.

“You have your action stars that can do bad-ass things, then you have your more rounded, sensitive actors,” said Sutter. “And it’s a rare combination to find people who can do both convincingly, like Charlie.”

The inherent conflict between the family man and gangster roles is what makes the character so enjoyable to play, said Hunnam during a phone interview from Toronto.

“On any given day, we’ll shoot scenes that will span from a very loving scene with [his character’s romantic interest] Tara, to having fun with the boys, to having some giant heartbreaking epiphany,” said the 31-year-old, British-born actor. “And it requires a giant amount of focus and energy, but it’s good to be pushed as an actor.”

Hunnam’s upbringing helped prepare him for his conflicted character. He grew up in the hardscrabble working-class section of Newcastle, England, with a tough-guy father. Hunnam said his father’s career choices were extremely limited. Continue reading Charlie’s biker is riding a tightrope in ‘Sons of Anarchy’

FX Orders Extra Episode for Sons of Anarchy

I’m so happy to hear FX did this. After seeing what Kurt Sutter had said in different tweets via his Twitter, I was left hoping FX might allow him the time slot for a 90 minute or even a rare two hour finale, but this is just as sweet. Thank you FX!

LOS ANGELES, November 7, 2011 – FX has ordered an extra episode of Sons of Anarchy that will extend the current fourth season to 14 episodes with the season finale now airing on Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 PM ET/PT, announced Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, FX.

“Creatively, this has been Sons’ best and biggest season ever,” said Grad. “Kurt asked us to consider adding an extra episode to fully close this current chapter of the Sons saga. By adding the extra episode, it wraps up a magnificent season in extraordinary fashion. This is a real bonus for fans of the series.”

Four seasons in, Sons of Anarchy is recording its highest-rated season yet, delivering 5.45 million Total Viewers and 3.71 million Adults 18-49, respective gains of +23% and +20%. On a weekly multi-telecast basis, Sons is delivering 8.51 million Total Viewers and 5.71 million Adults 18-49.

In tomorrow night’s 10th episode, “Hands,” Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and Tara (Maggie Siff) get a glimpse of life without SAMCRO but discover that their reality is hard to escape. (Written by Chris Collins & David Labrava & Kurt Sutter; Directed by Peter Weller)

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FX Officially Renew’s Sons of Anarchy for a 5th Season

LOS ANGELES, October 17, 2011 – FX has ordered a 13 episode fifth season of its critically acclaimed hit drama Sons of Anarchy, from Fox 21 and FX Productions, announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks.

Starring Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman and Golden Globe® Award winner Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy is having its best season yet from a ratings standpoint. It’s currently the #1 scripted drama series in all of basic cable, and is the highest-rated series ever on FX. On a first-run basis, season four is averaging 5.8 million Total Viewers and 3.9 million Adults 18-49, increases of +30% and +26%, respectively, vs. season three. On a multi-telecast weekly basis, season four is averaging 9 million Total Viewers and 6 million Adults 18-49.

The series has shown remarkable consistency week-to-week. The premiere episode of season four (9/6/11) was the most-watched program in FX history, with 6.5 million Total Viewers. Last week’s episode (episode 6, 10/11/11) was the highest-rated episode in the past four weeks (Live + Same Day).

“Everyone at FX is very grateful to Kurt Sutter, his many writing, directing and producing collaborators and his masterful cast for making such a compelling and beautifully crafted show,” said Landgraf. “It is no small challenge to bring the themes of a great, ancient play like Hamlet into a wholly original television setting and to tell this complex story in a way that is both riveting and accessible to a broad audience. The fans know how beautifully SOA meets this challenge, and we thank them for their loyal and passionate viewership.”

Seven all-new episodes remain in SOA’s current fourth season airing Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT. In the next episode of Sons of Anarchy (“Fruit for the Crows,” October 18, 10PM ET/PT), SAMCRO deals with the fallout from a death threat made against Tara.

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