While Fox may have gotten rid of Terra Nova to the chagrin of some sci-fi fans, the crime thriller fans should be pleased with the media giant as their cable channel FX has just renewed Justified for a fourth season. Six new episodes remain in the currently airing third season with the finale coming on April 10th, but the network already knows that it wants more of Timothy Olyphant as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens.Series creator Graham Yost says, "There are many reasons all of us on Justified are grateful to get a chance to do another season. We get to do more work with amazing actors, writers, producers, directors, musicians, editors and a jaw-droppingly talented crew. Â We get to keep doing a show that appeals to a wide demographic: people in Harlan, retired US Marshals, criminals (we honestly did hear that), and, most happily, our guide, our muse, Elmore Leonard. Â Best of all, we get to keep doing a show on FX (and while that may sound like craven ass-kissing, when you look at their roster, you can't help but feel grateful to be on that list)." For the full press release including publicity fluff from the network and ratings, hit the jump.Here's the press release:
LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2011 â FX has ordered 13 episodes for season four of its Emmy® Award-winning hit drama series Justified, announced Nick Grad, FX Executive Vice President of Original Programming. Six all new episodes remain in season three, airing Tuesdays at 10 PM ET/PT, with the third season finale airing April 10.
âJustified is one of televisionâs best series and this season has reinforced that excellence,â said Grad. âGraham Yost and his writing team continue to deliver compelling material and richly drawn characters brought to life by the brilliance of Timothy Olyphant and our terrific ensemble cast. Â Their work is validated by universal acclaim, awards, and ratings that have grown every year. We look forward to many more seasons to come."
Developed for television by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant, Justified (TV-MA) is based on the popular Elmore Leonard character âDeputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givensâ from his short story Fire in the Hole and some of his other novels.
"There are many reasons all of us on Justified are grateful to get a chance to do another season,â said Yost. âWe get to do more work with amazing actors, writers, producers, directors, musicians, editors and a jaw-droppingly talented crew.  We get to keep doing a show that appeals to a wide demographic: people in Harlan, retired US Marshals, criminals (we honestly did hear that), and, most happily, our guide, our muse, Elmore Leonard.  Best of all, we get to keep doing a show on FX (and while that may sound like craven ass-kissing, when you look at their roster, you can't help but feel grateful to be on that list)."
âGrahamâs modern day take on the western and masterful storytelling have helped bring the genre to the forefront,â said John Westphal, Senior Vice President, US. current programming, Sony Pictures Television. âThe storytelling and performances brought to life by Tim Olyphant, Walton Goggins and the rest of the cast, continue to elevate the series season after season."
Through seven weeks, first-run episodes of season 3 of Justified are averaging 4.3 million viewers (+8% vs. season 2) and 2.1 million Adults 18-49 (+8% vs. season 2). The weekly multi-run average viewership for the season 3 is 7.0 million total viewers and 3.4 million Adults 18-49.
Justified airs its eighth episode tonight, titled âWatching the Detectivesâ (10 PM ET/PT). A shocking murder forces Raylan to confront his past mistakes. Boyd grapples with Harlan's corrupt sheriff.
The series co-stars Walton Goggins as Raylanâs old nemesis/friend âBoyd Crowder,â Nick Searcy as Givens longtime friend and boss âChief Deputy Art Mullen,â Jacob Pitts as âDeputy Marshal Tim Gutterson,â Erica Tazel as âDeputy Marshal Rachel Brooks,â Joelle Carter as âAva Crowder,â and Natalie Zea as Raylanâs ex-wife âWinona Hawkins.â After Margo Martindale won an Emmy Award for her guest-starring role in season two as the evil matriarch âMags Bennett,â this season brings Neal McDonough as Detroit businessman âRobert Quarlesâ and Mykelti Williamson as the mysterious âLimehouseâ to face off against 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, Michael Dinner and Fred Golan, and Olyphant is a Producer. Justified is produced by FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television.