Lifetime Television, the number one women’s network, has renewed its hit comedic drama Drop Dead Diva for a second season. The announcement was made today by JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks.
The Network has ordered 13 new episodes of the freshman series, which stars break-out actress Brooke Elliott and popular comedienne Margaret Cho, for 2010. The critically acclaimed series, which tells the story of a shallow, aspiring model who dies in a sudden accident, only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney (Elliott), premiered on July 12, 2009, and was Lifetime’s highest rated original drama series debut since the 2007 launch of Army Wives.
From creator Josh Berman (Bones, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award®-winning Chicago, Hairspray, Lifetime’s Living Proof), Drop Dead Diva is averaging 2.6 million viewers per episode this season and has cumed 50.1 million P2+ viewers to date in its
9PM ET/PT Sunday time period. This past Sunday (August 16), it scored its highest ratings ever among Women 18-49 and Women 25-54, and averaged more than 3 million total viewers, a 16% increase above its season-to-date average, leading into Army Wives. Together, Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives make Lifetime the highest rated and most watched network in the Sunday, 9-11PM time period among Women 18-49.
“Drop Dead Diva is one of those rare gems that has charmed both viewers and critics, and I am proud to announce a season two pick-up,” said Alfano. “Josh Berman, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and their talented team have delivered an amazing show that is helping us to grow and evolve the Lifetime brand.”
Alfano added, “Brooke is a unique talent who has a wonderful career ahead of her. It is so gratifying to see the public and the media responding so positively to her.”
