Showtime Renews 'Shameless,' 'Episodes'

Showtime

"Shameless"

Showtime has renewed its two freshmen series, Shameless and Episodes, for second seasons.

Shameless, the hourlong dramedy starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, received a 12-episode order for Season 2.

Half-hour comedy Episodes, starring television vet Matt LeBlanc as a heightened version of himself, also received a pickup, though the episode count has yet to be determined. Episodes is a co-production with Showtime and U.K.'s BBC.

Both series premiered in early January, with Shameless becoming Showtime's best-performing freshman drama to date, drawing 982,000. Episodes premiered to 768,000 viewers following veteran comedy Californication. 

Production is set to begin later this year, with premieres scheduled for early next year.