TV News: Showtime Green Lights Second Season of Drama Series ‘Homeland’

CHICAGO – Here is a decision that was clearly not hard to make. Showtime has officially announced that they have given the green light for a second season of production on their new drama series “Homeland.” Why was the decision so easy? For a network that already boasts a number of hit series such as “Dexter,” “The Tudors” “The Borgias” and “The L Word,” “Homeland” is the highest rated freshman drama series in network history.

The announcement of the new season was made after “Homeland” received great ratings for its fourth consecutive week. Playing right after another hit Showtime drama, “Dexter,” on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. CST, Homeland has its audience coming back for more every week, but also added more audience as the weeks have gone on.

The announcement of the new season was made in a statement that included words of excitement from Showtime President of Entertainment, David Nevins: “‘Homeland’ is just getting started,” said Nevins. “Clearly, the overall audience growth from week one to week four demonstrates that this show is hitting a nerve in the cultural zeitgeist. (Executive producers) Alex (Gansa) and Howard (Gordon) have created a psychological thriller that holds special relevance in the post 9/11 world. I’m quite confident that its passionate audience will be riveted as the season unfolds and people discover where this story is going.”

The series, which second season order calls for 12 new, hour-long episodes, follows the story of a CIA officer named Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) who is investigating the rescue and motivations of a US soldier who had been missing for eight years named Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis). Mathison believes Brody may be involved in an Al Qaeda plot that is to be carried out on American soil.

Eight episodes remain in season one of “Homeland,” and fans of the new show can take heart in knowing that 12 more episodes will follow after the season one finale in December.

[10]	By TIM MARTENS [11] Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com [10]