Claim: FX television channel premiered Damages (TV series).

Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by the writing and production trio Daniel Zelman and brothers Glenn and Todd A. Kessler . It premiered on July 24 , 2007 , on FX , and aired for three seasons before moving to the DirecTV channel Audience Network in 2010 , airing for two further seasons and concluding in 2012 .   The plot revolves around the brilliant , ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes -LRB- Glenn Close -RRB- and her newest protégée , recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons -LRB- Rose Byrne -RRB- . Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on while also examining a chapter of the complex relationship between Ellen and Patty . The first two seasons center on the law firm Hewes & Associates -LRB- located in New York City -RRB- . Later seasons center more on Patty and Ellen 's relationship as Ellen attempts to distance herself from Hewes & Associates professionally and personally .   Known for its depiction of season-long cases from the point of view of both a law firm and an opponent , the series is also noted for the technical merit of its writing , including its effective use of plot twists and nonlinear narrative . The series has received critical acclaim and various award nominations , with Close and Željko Ivanek winning Primetime Emmy Awards for their performances . Other established actors in the cast include Ted Danson , William Hurt , Marcia Gay Harden , Martin Short , Lily Tomlin , John Goodman , Ryan Phillippe , Dylan Baker , Janet McTeer and John Hannah .