'Damages': fifth and final season of the Glenn Close drama begins July 11

The fifth and final season of “Damages” is set to premiere on Direct TV beginning July 11. The series stars Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, John Goodman and new member Ryan Phillippe, who joins the series as a regular this season. Phillippe plays Channing McClaren, a computer expert and the iconoclastic founder of a website, McClarenTruth.org, devoted to government and corporate transparency.

Jenna Elfman, Janet McTeer, John Hannah, Chris Messina, Judd Hirsch, M. Emmett Walsh, Victor Garber, William Sadler, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Gillian Alexy and Zachary Booth will be featured throughout the season.

“Damages” follows the lives of Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), a litigator and her former protege, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). Season five sets the stage for the final showdown between Patty and Ellen whose relationship has been cantankerous at times.
When McClaren is approached by Naomi Walling (Jenna Elfman), an investment bank employee troubled by her company’s conduct with insider information, it lays the foundation for the case that will finally pit Patty and Ellen against one another.

In an attempt to triumph over her former mentor, Ellen hires Kate Franklin (Janet McTeer), a one time colleague of Patty’s who is all too familiar with how she operates, but whose loyalty could be called into question. Adding to the turmoil surrounding the case is Rutger Simon (John Hannah), the chief lieutenant and gatekeeper for McClaren. As the series builds to its electrifying conclusion, far more than the verdict is at stake for everyone involved.

Since its premiere in 2007, “Damages” has been honored with a number of awards, including two Emmys for Close for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

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