As expected, TNT has renewed Falling Skies for a third season of 10 episodes. The cable channel says that season three will air sometime in 2013 but didn’t indicate a summer run.

Currently in its second season, Falling Skies is averaging a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 3.95 million total viewers (based on the daily final ratings). That’s down by about 16% in both categories.

Last Sunday’s episode drew a 1.2 in the demo with 3.64 million viewers. Season two is expected to finish airing on August 19th.

Starring Noah Wylie, Falling Skies revolves around a group resistance fighters who are struggling to survive following an alien invasion. Others in the large ensemble cast include Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Jessy Schram, Connor Jessup, Maxim Knight, Colin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, Peter Shinkoda, Mpho Koaho, Seychelle Gabriel, Will Patton, Brandon Jay McLaren, Dylan Authors, Bruce Gray, Daniyah Ysrail, Martin Roach, Dale Dye, and Steven Weber.

Here’s the official press release about the renewal:

TNT Orders Third Season of Epic Drama “Falling Skies”

Series from DreamWorks Television and Executive Producer Steven Spielberg Ranks as Basic Cable’s Top Summer Drama with Adults 18-49

TNT has ordered a third season of its epic original series Falling Skies, from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg. The critically acclaimed drama starring Noah Wyle finished its first season last year as basic cable’s top new series of 2011. Currently averaging 5.9 million viewers, the series ranks as basic cable’s #1 summer drama with adults 18-49. TNT has ordered 10 episodes Falling Skies’ third season, slated to air in 2013.

“Falling Skies is television storytelling at its very best, a powerful drama that’s told on both an epic scale and on a deeply personal level,” said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “With all the memorable and surprising moments taking place during the second season of Falling Skies, we can’t wait to see what DreamWorks Television and Falling Skies’ terrific production team and cast members have in store for season three.”

Falling Skies, which currently airs on TNT Sundays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), chronicles the devastating aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the months since the initial invasion, the few remaining survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force, whose nature and purpose remains a mystery.

Noah Wyle stars in Falling Skies as Tom Mason, a former college professor and father of three, who has become an unlikely leader for the 2nd Massachusetts civilian resistance group. Moon Bloodgood also stars as Anne Glass, a pediatrician who works with the survivors to help them cope with the traumatic upheaval in their lives. Will Patton plays Weaver, a fierce military leader of the resistance and Tom’s commanding officer. The series also stars Drew Roy as Hal, Tom’s oldest son and a growing fighter in the resistance movement; Connor Jessup as Ben, Tom’s middle son who was rescued from the aliens and now uses his unique abilities to help the resistance; Maxim Knight as Matt, Tom’s youngest son, who wants to grow up ahead of his time; and Seychelle Gabriel as Lourdes, an orphaned pre-med student who helps Anne in the group’s makeshift medical clinic. Mpho Koaho and Peter Shinkoda play Anthony and Dai, two resistance fighters in the 2nd Mass.; Colin Cunningham is John Pope, the head of a gang of marauders called the Berserkers; and Sarah Carter is Maggie, a wary survivor from Pope’s gang.

Guest-starring this season are Brandon Jay McLaren (The Killing), who plays resident engineer and technology expert Jamil Dexter, and Terry O’Quinn (Lost), who will appear in this season’s final two episodes as Arthur Manchester, Tom’s mentor and former professor.

Falling Skies comes to TNT from DreamWorks Television and is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank. Remi Aubuchon and Greg Beeman are also executive producers. The series was created by Robert Rodat.

Following each week’s episode of Falling Skies on TNT, fans can head over the Falling Skies website – http://fallingskies.com – for the latest installment of 2nd Watch, a weekly online talk show hosted by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Leverage). Each episode features discussions on the latest episode and interviews with special guests from the cast and crew, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, fan questions, trivia and more.

TNT’s announcement that Falling Skies has been renewed for a third season comes just as the cast prepares to make an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego. Series stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Colin Cunningham and Sarah Carter, along with executive producer Remi Aubuchon, will join moderator Wil Wheaton for a panel session on Friday, July 13, at 4:30 p.m. (PT) in room 6BCF at the San Diego Convention Center. An autograph signing will follow at the Dark Horse Comics booth at 6 p.m. (PT). TNT has partnered with Dark Horse Comics on a number of Falling Skies initiatives, including a prequel comic book that preceded last year’s series premiere.

In its debut season last summer, TNT’s Falling Skies topped the charts as basic cable’s #1 new series of 2011. This year, the show is off to a strong start, averaging 5.9 million viewers in Live + 7. It has also scored 2.7 million adults 18-49 (L+7) and ranks as basic cable’s #1 drama for the summer-to-date in that key demo. The show has brought in 3.1 million adults 25-54, ranking it behind TNT’s Dallas as basic cable’s #2 summer drama. On the international front, Falling Skies premiered in more than 115 global markets last year, achieving hit status in the United Kingdom, Australia and Latin America, among others. Last year’s launch of Falling Skies also ranked as the biggest series premiere ever for TNT networks in Spain, Germany and Austria.

About TNT

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households, TNT is home to such original drama series as The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, Dallas, Falling Skies, Perception, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Major Crimes and Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like this summer’s The Great Escape and the upcoming Boston Blue (working title) and 72 Hours (working title). In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order and Castle, which starts this year; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

What do you think? Are you glad that Falling Skies has been renewed? How many seasons do you think this show should reasonably last?