Even though Showtime has just started airing the second seasons of two of its strong women-dominated series, Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara, the pay-for-view channel is already greenlighting third seasons for both. Showtime made the announcement of the pick-ups this week following record ratings for the second season debuts.

Nurse Jackie stars Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, an ER nurse who abuses drugs as a way to deal with the challenges of hospital work and dealing with her personal life, juggling both her husband (Dominic Fumusa) and her affair with a pharmacist (Paul Schulze). Eve Best, Merritt Wever, Peter Facinelli, and Haaz Sleiman costar as well.

United States of Tara, created by Diablo Cody, stars Toni Collette as a housewife with disassociative identity disorder who disappears into another personality whenever she’s stressed. It also stars John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt, Pamela Reed, Fred Ward, Brie Larson, and Keir Gilchrist.

Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks, Inc., states that they are “enormously proud of these two series starring two of the best actresses working today.” He feels both shows are iconic for their brand, and gives his thanks to the dedicated producers, cast, and crews who make that so. While Falco has won Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and SAG Awards for her work on The Sopranos, Collette has won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for her role as Tara.

Which Showtime series is better? Nurse Jackie United States of Tara View Results  Loading ...

Nurse Jackie, one of AFI’s Top Ten Television Series of 2009, found Jackie struggling to keep it all going at the end of last season, as her pharmacist boyfriend, Eddie, found out about her family back home. In the beginning of season two, she has cut ties with him, focused on spending more time with her husband and two daughters. Yet, cutting Eddie loose means less access to drugs.

The second season of United States of Tara begins with Tara doing well after several months of being free of her disassociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. Things start changing when it’s discovered that her neighbor has committed suicide, and her family is charged with taking care of his house. Tara tries to make new friends, but realizes her alternative personalities are beginning to make appearances again.

Both series have received orders for twelve episodes and will go back into production later this year.

What do you think? Are you glad that these series have been renewed? Which is better — Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara?

Images courtesy Showtime.