“Mad Man” will be back — along with its entire cast.
After months of contentious negotiations, the creator of the highly addictive cable-TV drama has struck a new three-year, $30 million deal with AMC and Lionsgate Entertainment, bringing the show back and ensuring that no characters will be cut to pare its budget.
“The cast decisions are creative decisions, not financial decisions,” said creator Matt Weiner. “This was never about money. It’s about me continuing to make the show the way it is . . . I feel its uniqueness is integral to its success.
“It’s a thrill,” he told The Post last night.
Weiner, AMC and Lionsgate had been battling over his salary, the show’s running time, budget and product placements.
In a compromise, the show’s season opener and finale will have the same 47-minute running time they had last year, but other episodes will run 45 minutes, allowing AMC to sell more commercials.
Weiner can add the “missing” two minutes on platforms such as digital downloads and DVDs after the episodes air on AMC.
Fans will have to wait for Season 5. Weiner said the show won’t return until next March.
“I hope the audience will be patient. We’ll make it worth it for them,” he said, adding the series will conclude at the end of the deal.
“I’m so excited I get to finish it,” he said.