In the wake of one of SHOWTIME’s most critically acclaimed original series debuts, the network has renewed its new dark comedy series NURSE JACKIE, a co-production with Lionsgate starring Emmy®-winner Edie Falco for a second season. The announcement was made today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. Production of 12 new episodes will begin this fall in New York City.
“NURSE JACKIE was a home run for us when Edie Falco decided to come aboard over a year ago,” said Greenblatt. “We’re thrilled that the critics, our affiliates, and the public in general have had the reaction to the show that we hoped they would. While SHOWTIME was already in the pink, we’re grateful to get a big shot in the arm from this feisty little nurse.”
NURSE JACKIE premiered Monday, June 8 to both audience and critical acclaim. After making her return to premium television, Falco has received some of the best reviews of her accomplished career for her role as the complicated Nurse Jackie Peyton. USA Today gave NURSE JACKIE 4 Stars, stating, “Here’s a cure for TV’s summer doldrums: “Take one great actress and one great role; repeat for 12 weeks;” The Washington Post says “Nurse Jackie is one of the true choice cuts of the year,” and TV Guide noted “Watch Edie Falco become one of those rare talents who will someday add comedy Emmys to her drama stash.”
The series is a co-production of Showtime Networks Inc. and Lionsgate Television and was created by Evan Dunsky and Liz Brixius & Linda Wallem (The Comeback, That ‘70’s Show). Wallem and Brixius are executive producers and show runners. John Melfi and Caryn Mandabach are executive producers. Richie Jackson, Christine Zander, Mark Hudis and Evan Dunsky are co-executive producers.
NURSE JACKIE is a half-hour dark comedy that is at turns wicked, heartbreaking and funny. Edie Falco stars as the title character Jackie Peyton, a strong-willed and brilliant — but very flawed — emergency room nurse in a complicated New York City hospital. A lapsed Catholic with an occasional weakness for Vicodin and Adderall to get her through the days, Jackie keeps the hospital balanced with her own kind of justice. Every day is a high wire act of juggling patients, doctors, fellow nurses and her own indiscretions. The first season also stars Eve Best, Peter Facinelli, Merritt Wever, Haaz Sleiman, Paul Schulze, Anna Deavere Smith, Dominic Fumusa, Ruby Jerins, Daisy Tahan and Stephen Wallem.
The show is co-produced by Lionsgate and Showtime Networks in association with Caryn Mandabach Productions and Madison Grain Elevator Inc. & Delong Lumber.
