After six award-winning and critically-acclaimed seasons, Nurse Jackie, the Showtime hit comedy starring the extraordinary Edie Falco, will begin production this week on its seventh and final season, it was announced today by David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc. The series, which premiered in 2009, instantly became one of the network's signature series, garnering multiple awards, including several Emmy Awards, a Humanitas Prize, an AFI Award for "Outstanding Television Program" and several Prism Awards for its depiction of substance abuse. It has also placed its star Edie Falco in the rare position of being the only actress to ever win the lead acting Emmy Awards in both comedy and drama, and the most nominated television performer in Screen Actors Guild Awards history. As one of the highest-rated Showtime comedies, as well as the network's top female skewing comedy, Nurse Jackie averaged 3.4 million weekly viewers across platforms in its sixth season, once again outperforming its prior season. Nurse Jackie is a co-production between Showtime and Lionsgate.

Here's what Showtime president David Nevins had to say in a statement about working with Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie.

"Edie is one of our finest actresses. We are so honored to have had her on the network. She creates indelible characters and Nurse Jackie Peyton is no exception. I know this final season will bring her story to a close that will satisfy the ever-growing number of loyal viewers who have been entranced and, at times, appalled by Jackie through the years. I want to thank Edie, the incredible cast of Nurse Jackie and Clyde Phillips and Richie Jackson who have led the show to the success that it is today."

Kevin L. Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television, had this to say in his statement.

"It is with great sadness and pride that we and Showtime bid farewell to such an outstanding series like Nurse Jackie, its stellar cast led by the incomparable Edie Falco, brilliant producing team led by Clyde Phillips and Richie Jackson, and the entire Nurse Jackie family of craftspeople and artists that bring this show to rapt audiences year after year. We consider ourselves lucky to have been part of the Nurse Jackie story and look forward to an Unforgettable final season."

Nurse Jackie also stars Merritt Wever in her Emmy-winning role, Paul Schulze, Dominic Fumusa, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephen Wallem, Betty Gilpin, Ruby Jerins, Mackenzie Aladjem and Peter Facinelli. Tony Shalhoub will guest star this season. Clyde Phillips serves as showrunner and executive producer. Tom Straw, Richie Jackson, Liz Flahive and Caryn Mandabach also executive produce.