
Scripted series · Showtime
Ray Donovan
Some damage can't be controlled.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Ray Donovan actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Ray Donovan reads strongest on Character Depth, Emotional Weight and Bingeability.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, Ray Donovan does the dirty work for LA's top power players, and makes their problems disappear. His father's unexpected release from prison sets off a chain of events that shakes the Donovan family to its core.
The run
Seasons
7 seasons · 82 episodes.

Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
201312 episodes
7.6IMDbRay's father Mickey is released from prison after twenty years and comes to Los Angeles to reconnect with his family, setting off a chain of events that reopens old wounds and tests the limits of loyalty, family and the law; Ray's wife and children struggle to reconcile their current upper middle class lifestyle with their blue collar South Boston roots, while trying to understand the complicated and distant man of the house; Terry begins a relationship with a married woman; Bunchy confronts the personal demons from his childhood.
Best episode · S01E10 Fite Nite

Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
201412 episodes
7.5IMDbRay runs afoul of a corrupt FBI chief, gets too close to a nosy reporter from Boston who is trying to expose him, and becomes the hired fixer for a sadistic self-help guru; Mickey is forced to go on parole and schemes to make it big; Abby meets a man who is willing to do almost anything for her; Bridget's clandestine relationship with teen rap sensation Marvin Gaye Washington takes a surprising turn; Terry wants to sell the Fite Club; Bunchy struggles to find love.
Best episode · S02E12 The Captain

Season 3 · Complete
Season 3
201512 episodes
7.4IMDbEven Ray Donovan's actions have consequences and he soon learns that clean slates are a dirty business. Ray has taken some hits that would leave lesser men down for the count, but what doesn't kill a Donovan only makes him stronger. One thing's for sure, whether you're with him or against him -- it may be a new day, but it's the same Ray.
Best episode · S03E12 Exsuscito

Season 4 · Complete
Season 4
201612 episodes
7.2IMDbThis season, Ray attempts to return to the fold of his family and the church in the wake of his confession to Father Romero. But this second chance at redemption is tested when he meets professional boxer Hector Campos and his volatile sister Marisol, who harbor a dangerous secret. In the aftermath of last season’s shootout with the Armenian Mafia, Ray is drawn into the web of Sonia Kovitzky, a wealthy art connoisseur who is determined to use Ray to further her agenda. Meanwhile, Mickey finds himself on the run in Nevada, scheming to exploit local casino owner Little Bill Primm. Newlyweds Bunchy and Teresa struggle to maintain their connection to each other as they prepare for their first child. Following his life-threatening injury, Terry channels his energy into the Fite Club, enlisting the help of Daryll to train a new recruit. And Abby receives shocking medical news that leaves her questioning her role as a wife and mother. A newly independent Bridget provides comfort and support during this tumultuous time as Conor begins to assert his autonomy with disastrous results.
Best episode · S04E12 Rattus Rattus

Season 5 · Complete
Season 5
201712 episodes
7.1IMDbRay's ongoing family upheaval has taken an emotional toll, leaving him more vulnerable than ever. LA’s preeminent fixer is heading into uncharted territory and will soon discover that some damage can’t be controlled.
Best episode · S05E08 Horses

Season 6 · Complete
Season 6
201812 episodes
8.2IMDbIn season 6, we find Ray rebuilding his life both personally and professionally in New York City. After being rescued from a plummet into the East River, his savior, a cop named Mac, brings Ray into the fraternity that is the Staten Island Police Department. While exploring this new world of brotherhood and corruption, Ray finds himself once again working for media mogul Sam Winslow. Sam has teamed up with New York City mayoral candidate Anita Novak, a partnership that puts Ray at odds with his new friends out in Staten Island.
Best episode · S06E11 Never Gonna Give You Up

Season 7 · Complete
Season 7
201910 episodes
8.3IMDbIn season 7, we find Ray working to be the man his family needs him to be. While he makes progress with Dr. Amiot, there are dangers from the past that require the Ray Donovan of old.
Best episode · S07E07 The Transfer Agent
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.

S06E11
Never Gonna Give You Up
It’s all-out war between cops and family, as the Donovans band together to save one of their own. Running out of options, Mac faces a difficult decision.
- Directed by Joshua Marston
- Written by Sean Conway, Chad Feehan

S06E10
Baby
With Ray on the run, Radulovic and the Staten Island cops take a drastic measure: a move that sends Ray on a warpath. Mickey confronts his son. Sam makes her final move to win the election.
- Directed by John Dahl
- Written by Miki Johnson

S02E12
The Captain
Mickey hatches a new plan. Abby is torn between Ray and Jim.
- Directed by Michael Uppendahl
- Written by Ann Biderman

S05E08
Horses
A last-ditch medical trial sends Ray on a dark mission in New York. Alone in LA, Abby turns to Terry and Bridget to help her make the toughest decision of her life.
- Directed by Zetna Fuentes
- Written by William Wheeler

S07E07
The Transfer Agent
Mickey finally learns the truth about the botched heist, and he’s out to get his fair share of the money. Ray reflects on his early memories of Jim Sullivan while he and Molly track down Sandy and Mickey by any means necessary. Smitty is questioned by the police and confronted with the consequences of his actions.
- Directed by Kyra Sedgwick
- Written by David Hollander, David Bar Katz

S06E02
Staten Island (2)
No matter how much he wants it to go away, Ray isn’t done cleaning up the fallout from his jump. People are asking questions, and there’s a witness willing to give answers that could rock Mac and Ray’s worlds. Across the country, Mickey’s heart attack behind bars forces the family to wrestle with what could be their father’s final days.
- Directed by Allen Coulter
- Written by David Hollander, Miki Johnson
Recently aired
Latest Episodes

S07E10
You'll Never Walk Alone
- Directed by David Hollander
- Written by David Hollander, Liev Schreiber


S07E08
Passport and a Gun
- Directed by John Dahl
- Written by Joshua Marston, Kelly Wiles

S07E07
The Transfer Agent
- Directed by Kyra Sedgwick
- Written by David Hollander, David Bar Katz

S07E06
Inside Guy
- Directed by John Dahl
- Written by Tanya Barfield, Laura Marks

S07E05
An Irish Lullaby
- Directed by Dash Mihok
- Written by Jim Leonard, Kelly Wiles
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
- Photo unavailable
Ann Biderman
Showrunner

David Hollander
Executive producer

Mark Gordon
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Lou Fusaro
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Bryan Zuriff
Executive producer

Colin Bucksey
Executive producer

Ron Nyswaner
Writer
- Photo unavailable
David Bar Katz
Writer

William Wheeler
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Miki Johnson
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Sean Conway
Writer

Cheo Hodari Coker
Writer

Chad Feehan
Writer

Michael Tolkin
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Jim Leonard
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Gina Welch
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Tanya Barfield
Writer

Rob Fresco
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Karl Taro Greenfeld
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Laura Marks
Writer
- Photo unavailable
David Sonnenborn
Writer

Brett Johnson
Writer

Joshua Marston
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Kelly Wiles
Writer

Mike Binder
Writer

Liev Schreiber
Writer
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- David HollanderExecutive Producer
- Allen CoulterProducer
- Ann BidermanExecutive Producer
- Mark GordonExecutive Producer
- Lou FusaroExecutive Producer
- Jason WeinbergProducer
Writing
- David HollanderWriter
- Ron NyswanerWriter
- David Bar KatzWriter
- William WheelerWriter
- Miki JohnsonWriter
- Sean ConwayWriter
Direction
- David HollanderDirector
- Guy FerlandDirector
- Dan AttiasDirector
- James Whitmore Jr.Director
- Daniel MinahanDirector
- Tarik SalehDirector
Cinematography
- Mauricio RubinsteinDirector of Photography
- David FrancoDirector of Photography
- Matthew JensenDirector of Photography
- Tim NagasawaDirector of Photography
- Jonathan FreemanDirector of Photography
- Dan StoloffDirector of Photography
Music
- Marcelo ZarvosOriginal Music Composer
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
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- Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel Streaming
- Paramount+ Amazon ChannelStreaming
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- YouTube TVStreaming
- Paramount+ Roku Premium ChannelStreaming
- Spectrum On DemandStreaming
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