As expected, FX has renewed Justified for a third season of 13 episodes. No word on when year three will air but the first two seasons began airing in February and March. Season two will wrap on June 8th.
Here’s the press release from FX:
FX’S CRITICALLY ACLLAIMED HIT DRAMA JUSTIFIED GETS PICK UP
Network Orders 13 Episodes for Third Season from FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television
Six All New Episodes Remain in Season One, Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT With Season 1 Finale Airing June 8
Season Two (First-Run) Averaging 3.9 Million Total Viewers and 2.0 Million Adults 18-49
Marking Gains of +16% in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 vs. Season One Average With Multi-Run Weekly Average of 7.2 Million Total Viewers and 3.7 Million Adults 18-49LOS ANGELES, March 29, 2011 – The FX drama series Justified is enjoying one of the most critically acclaimed seasons of any show on television this year and today the network has ordered another season of the hit series, picking up a 13-episode third season, announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks. Six all new episodes remain in season two, airing Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT, with the second season finale airing May 4.
“Justified was a critically acclaimed hit series in its first season, but the show has far surpassed our expectations this season,” said Landgraf. “Creatively, the show is on a roll. The performances of Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Margo Martindale and the entire cast are extraordinary. Graham Yost and his team of writers are delivering some of the richest stories anywhere on TV and are doing a brilliant job of being true to Elmore Leonard’s original character, Raylan Givens. We couldn’t be more proud of the work everyone has done.”
Developed for television by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant, Justified (TV-MA) is based on the popular Elmore Leonard character “Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens” from his short story Fire in the Hole and some of his other novels.
Yost said, “I always say that the best review we’ve ever received on Justified is the fact that Elmore Leonard gets a kick out of the show. I must add to that. Now tied for the best feedback we’ve ever received is the news that a network as cool and original and supportive as FX is bringing us back for another year.”
“The show’s appeal speaks volumes to Graham’s fresh approach to storytelling,” said Jamie Erlicht, president of programming and production, Sony Pictures Television.
“The stellar performances by Timothy, Walton and the entire cast are Emmy caliber and we couldn’t be prouder of this series” added Zack Van Amburg, president of programming and production, Sony Pictures Television.
SOURCE: The Nielsen Company, NHI (Live+7)
Through seven weeks, first-run episodes of Justified are averaging 3.9 million viewers (+15% vs. season 1) and 2.0 million Adults 18-49 (+18% vs. season 1). The weekly multi-run average viewership for the season 2 is 7.2 million total viewers and 3.7 million Adults 18-49, respective gains of +6% in Total Viewers and +6% in Adults 18-49.
The series co-stars Walton Goggins guest stars as “Boyd Crowder,” Nick Searcy as Givens longtime friend and boss “Chief Deputy Art Mullen,” Jacob Pitts as “Deputy Marshal Tim Gutterson,” Erica Tazel as “Deputy Marshal Rachel Brooks,” Joelle Carter as “Ava Crowder,” and Natalie Zea as Raylan’s ex-wife “Winona Hawkins.” This season Margo Martindale joined the cast in a supporting role as “Mags Bennett,” matriarch of a rural Kentucky crime family and nemesis of Raylan Givens.
Yost wrote the pilot and serves as Executive Producer/Writer on the series. Leonard is an Executive Producer on the series along with Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Michael Dinner, and Olyphant is Producer. Justified is produced by FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television.
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 99 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, an established film library of acquired box-office hit movies, and an impressive lineup of acquired hit series.
What do you think? Glad to hear Justified is returning? How long do you think it can go on?
Image courtesy FX.
One of our favorite shows.wish it was on every Wednesday all year long.hope it comes back soon.
Iam so glad Justified is coming back on. I never miss it, and my son records it since I have gotten him to watch it. That way I get to watch it twice. And as long as the stories are fresh and original, it will be good for a long time. And it doesn’t hurt that they are good looking. Right now you have the perfect cast. Don’t change it.
My husband and I love the show. It is excited, witty, and action packed!!! We
love the characters and have purchased all the videos so far. Please keep it on the
air—it is a winner!!!
Keep this show on tv. It’s the best show to watch. It’s not the same old basic show you usually have available on tv.
I stumbled upon the show in Dec 2011 while deployed overseas…during our limited downtime we don’t have much to do as far as entertainment, so we watch movies….I liked season 1 so much, I pre-ordered season 2. I stayed up until 0400 and watched the entire 2nd season in one setting…..this show is incredible….leaves you wanting to watch the next episode everytime….the characters are perfect…..absolutly perfect.
My only gripe is I cannot wait for season 3….and we do not get FX in Afghanistan…..45th IBCT, TF Thunderbirds… Oklahoma City, OK
I agree, it’s a great show! We just started Season 3 here and, while I won’t spoil anything, so far it’s pretty good. If you’ve got the DVDs, you might consider re-watching the first two seasons when the third one is closer to getting to you… this is a show that gets better with repeat viewings, at least for me. The first time is for the shock value and the second time is to re-enjoy the subtleties/favorite parts. Stay safe over there!