The FX drama series Justified is enjoying one of the most critically acclaimed seasons of any show on television this year, and today the network has ordered another season of the hit series, picking up a 13-episode third season, announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks. Six all new episodes remain in season two, airing Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT, with the second season finale airing May 4.

"Justified was a critically acclaimed hit series in its first season, but the show has far surpassed our expectations this season," said John Landgraf. "Creatively, the show is on a roll. The performances of Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Margo Martindale and the entire cast are extraordinary. Graham Yost and his team of writers are delivering some of the richest stories anywhere on TV and are doing a brilliant job of being true to Elmore Leonard's original character, Raylan Givens. We couldn't be more proud of the work everyone has done."

Developed for television by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant, Justified (TV-MA) is based on the popular Elmore Leonard character "Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens" from his short story Fire in the Hole and some of his other novels.

Yost said, "I always say that the best review we've ever received on Justified is the fact that Elmore Leonard gets a kick out of the show. I must add to that. Now tied for the best feedback we've ever received is the news that a network as cool and original and supportive as FX is bringing us back for another year."

"The show's appeal speaks volumes to Graham's fresh approach to storytelling," said Jamie Erlicht, president of programming and production, Sony Pictures Television.

"The stellar performances by Timothy, Walton and the entire cast are Emmy caliber and we couldn't be prouder of this series" added no-person|Zack Van Amburg, president of programming and production, Sony Pictures Television.

Through seven weeks, first-run episodes of Justified are averaging 3.9 million viewers (+15% vs. season 1) and 2.0 million Adults 18-49 (+18% vs. season 1). The weekly multi-run average viewership for the season 2 is 7.2 million total viewers and 3.7 million Adults 18-49, respective gains of +6% in Total Viewers and +6% in Adults 18-49.

The series co-stars Walton Goggins as "Boyd Crowder," Nick Searcy as Givens longtime friend and boss "Chief Deputy Art Mullen," Jacob Pitts as "Deputy Marshal Tim Gutterson," Erica N. Tazel as "Deputy Marshal Rachel Brooks," Joelle Carter as "Ava Crowder," and Natalie Zea as Raylan's ex-wife "Winona Hawkins." This season Margo Martindale joined the cast in a supporting role as "Mags Bennett," matriarch of a rural Kentucky crime family and nemesis of 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 and Michael Dinner, and Olyphant is Producer. Justified is produced by FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television.