Mad Men - Final Season Will Be Split In Two

Credit: Frank Ockenfels/AMC

AMC has found that the split approach taken with Breaking Bad's final season is a great idea for getting the most out of departing shows.

The network has announced that the seventh and final season of Mad Men will consist of fourteen episodes, to be split into two halves of seven episodes each. The first half of the final season will be titled "The Beginning," and will air next spring, while the second will be dubbed "The End of an Era," and will air in the spring of 2015.

Further details via The LA Times:

"This approach has worked well for many programs across multiple networks, and, most recently for us with 'Breaking Bad,' which attracted nearly double the number of viewers to its second-half premiere than had watched any previous episode,” said AMC President Charlie Collier. “We are determined to bring 'Mad Men' a similar showcase."

Series creator and showrunner Matthew Weiner expressed enthusiasm about the storytelling potential of the two-part final season.

"We plan to take advantage of this chance to have a more elaborate story told in two parts, which can resonate a little bit longer in the minds of our audience,” he said. “The writers, cast and other artists welcome this unique manner of ending this unique experience.”

Having just finished up its sixth season, Mad Men remains one of TV's most honored programs. It goes into Sunday night's Emmy Awards with 12 nominations to its credit, including a bid for Outstanding Drama Series, an award the show won for four consecutive years, for its first four seasons.