FX has announced that the fourth season of Louie will begin airing on May 5th. The cable channel initially ordered 13 episodes but series creator/star Louis C.K. apparently wanted to deliver an additional installment, bringing the tally to 14. Two episodes will air each Monday night until June 16th.

Here’s the press release:

LOUIE’S BACK!!!

14-Episode Fourth Season of FX’s Emmy(R) Award Winning Comedy Series “Louie” Premieres on Monday, May 5

FX Will Air Two All-New Episodes for Seven Consecutive Weeks Mondays at 10 and 10:30 PM ET/PT Through June 16

LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2014 – Louie’s back!!! After a 19-month hiatus, television’s most-critically acclaimed comedy series Louie will make its season four debut on Monday, May 5 at 10:00 PM E/P, and FX will air two all new episodes of the Emmy Award winning show back-to-back every Monday at 10:00 and 10:30 PM E/P for seven consecutive weeks through June 16, announced John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions.

FX ordered 13 episodes for the series fourth season, but Creator/Executive Producer/Writer/Star/Director/Editor Louis C.K. delivered a bonus 14th episode.

“Louis said he needed extra time between seasons three and four of his show because – even though Louie was the most critically acclaimed television comedy series in America – he needed to make it even better,” said Landgraf. “Based on the first three episodes we’ve seen, remarkably, he accomplished his goal.”

In 2012, Louie made history by becoming the first comedy series on a basic cable network to receive an Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Comedy Series. The show has won two Emmy Awards – Louis C.K. for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (2012), and Melissa Leo for Outstanding Guest Actress in Comedy Series (2013) The series has also won AFI (2012 and 2013) and Peabody (2013), and Television Critics Association (2013) awards. It was nominated for a WGA Award in 2012 and it won the WGA Award in 2013 (Louis C.K., Pamela Adlon and Vernon Chatman). It was also nominated for a PGA Award in 2013.

For his work on Louie, Louis C.K. has received Emmy Award nominations for writing (he won in 2011) and acting in each of the show’s first three seasons, and twice for directing. C.K. received Golden Globe(R) and SAG award nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, and DGA award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series. He became the first and only actor from a basic cable series to with the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy.

Louie is a comedy filtered through the observational humor of Louis C.K. Each episode puts a spotlight on Louis’ hectic life as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father raising his two daughters. The single-camera comedy is a mix of Louis C.K.’s stand-up comedy and scripted stories. Louis C.K., M. Blair Breard and Dave Becky are Executive Producers. The series is produced by FX Productions.

About FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel of FX Networks, a business unit of Fox Networks Group. FX Networks is comprised of FX, FXM and FXX, its newest channel, which debuted on September 2, 2013. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 97 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans and The Bridge; the upcoming dramas Tyrant (June ’14) and The Strain (July ’14) the mini-series American Horror Story; the upcoming mini-series Fargo (4/15/14); the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie and Archer; the new animated comedy Chozen; and scripted comedies Married and You’re The Worst both launching in summer of ’14. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly.

About FX Productions

FX Productions (FXP) produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, Legit, and Chozen, and the drama series The Strain (July ’14). FXP co-produces the award-winning hit dramas Sons of Anarchy, Justified, and The Americans, the acclaimed drama series The Bridge, and the upcoming drama Tyrant (June ’14). FXP is also co-producing the limited series Fargo starring Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, which debuts on April 15th.

What do you think? Have you been looking forward to the new season of Louie?