Following the big season three finale of Breaking Bad, AMC has announced that they’re renewing the TV show for a fourth season. The series stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brant, Dean Norris, and R.J. Mitte.

Here’s the official press release about the renewal.

AMC RENEWS EMMY(R) AWARD-WINNING AND CRITICAL HIT “BREAKING BAD” FOR FOURTH SEASON

New York, NY, June 14, 2010 — AMC announced today the renewal of its Emmy(R) Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama series “Breaking Bad” for a fourth season, continuing the network’s momentum in delivering the best original storytelling on television. From acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan (“The X-Files”), the series follows the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to secure his family’s financial security. “Breaking Bad’s” first two seasons awarded Bryan Cranston the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which marked the only time an actor from basic cable has ever been recognized with back-to-back Emmy Awards.

Last night, AMC premiered the final episode from season three. Household ratings are 20% stronger than season two and season three is delivering 18% more total viewers and over 30% more adults 18-34 than last season. “Breaking Bad” is filmed on location in Albuquerque, NM.

“AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ is one of the most layered and intense dramas on television today,” said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of original programming, production and digital content. “The critical acclaim and strong audience growth we’ve seen in season three reinforce that this is the kind of exceptional original storytelling AMC has become known for providing to audiences. Vince Gilligan and his team deliver bold storylines that truly push the psychic envelope and create a mesmerizing, exhilarating television experience. We look forward to an incredible fourth season.”

“Through its captivating storytelling, inspired performances and breathtaking visuals, ‘Breaking Bad’ delivers on all levels and it’s a show we’re very proud to have in our portfolio,” said Zack Van Amburg, President, programming for Sony Pictures Television.

“Breaking Bad’s” third second season premiered on Sunday, March 21 to the highest ratings ever for the series. Variety “qualified ‘Bad’ as one of TV’s best dramas.” Newsday said, “this show – still TV’s best – remains utterly true to itself.” TV Squad heralded, “all things considered, AMC has a lot to be celebrating. Both ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ are two of the best — no, they are the best — shows on television.” “The writing is among the very elite in television,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

“Breaking Bad” stars 2008 and 2009 Emmy Award-winner Bryan Cranston (“Malcolm in the Middle”) as Walter White; Emmy nominated Aaron Paul (“Big Love”) as Jesse Pinkman; Anna Gunn (“Deadwood”) as Skyler White; Dean Norris (“Little Miss Sunshine”) as Hank Schrader; Betsy Brandt (“CSI”) as Marie Schrader; RJ Mitte (“Hannah Montana,” “Weeds”) as Walter, Jr; Bob Odenkirk (“Mr. Show with Bob and David”) as Saul Goodman; Giancarlo Esposito (“Gospel Hill”) as Gus Fring; and Jonathan Banks (“Wiseguy”) as Mike.

“Breaking Bad” follows protagonist Walter White, a milquetoast high school chemistry teacher who lives in New Mexico with his wife and teenage son who has cerebral palsy. White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of two years left to live. With a new sense of fearlessness based on his medical prognosis, and a desire to gain financial security for his family, White chooses to enter a dangerous world of drugs and crime and ascends to power in this world. The series explores how a fatal diagnosis such as White’s releases a typical man from the daily concerns and constraints of normal society and follows his transformation from mild-mannered family man to a kingpin of the drug trade.

“Breaking Bad” is produced by High Bridge Productions, Inc. and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television for AMC. Executive producers are Vince Gilligan and Mark Johnson; co-executive producer Michelle MacLaren; line producer/UPM Stewart A. Lyons; producer Melissa Bernstein; supervising producer Sam Catlin; consulting producer John Shiban; producers Peter Gould, George Mastras and Thomas Schnauz; Co-Producer Moria Walley-Beckett; and director of photography Michael Slovis.

About AMC
AMC reigns as the only network to ever win the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series – Drama three years in a row and the only basic cable network to win back-to-back Primetime Emmy(R) Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade from the most comprehensive library or creating acclaimed original productions, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. cptfc AMC’s original stories include the Emmy(R) Award-winning dramas Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and insightful non-scripted programming such as AMC News. AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 95 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv and Wedding Central. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters Here.

About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Festival Direct, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE’s long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 122 channel feeds, which are available in more than 140 countries reaching almost 438 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT is a part owner of cable channel GSN, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in all of SPE’s digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

What do you think? Are you glad to hear that the Breaking Bad will be back next season?

Image courtesy AMC.