MTV Renews 'Awkward' for Supersized Season 3 (Exclusive)

MTV

"Awkward's" Ashley Rickards

Things indeed are about to get Awkward-er.

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MTV has renewed critical darling Awkward for a third and supersized season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

The comedy, created by Lauren Iungerich, will see its third season grow from its current order of 12 to 20 half-hour episodes as MTV continues to bulk up its original scripted programming. Iungerich told THR in June ahead of the show's Season 2 bow, that she'd already received the word to start scripting the third season -- a vote of confidence from the network.

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"Lauren Iungerich’s creative vision, coupled with this extraordinarily talented cast, make Awkward the perfect series for MTV," MTV head of programming David Janollari said. "Critics and our audience alike have fallen in love with Awkward, and we’re thrilled to bring this terrific series back for a third, supersized season.” 

The series, which revolves around Jenna Hamilton (Ashley Rickards) as she attempts to navigate life and romance and the awkward encounters that come both at home and with love interests Jake (Brett Davern) and Matty (Beau Mirchoff), is up 6 percent year-over-year and ranks as the No. 1 show in its Thursday time slot among teens and women 12-34.

Awkward's supersized renewal order comes mere weeks after MTV renewed hourlong drama Teen Wolf for a third season consisting of 24 episodes -- also double its typical order for its first two seasons.

Next up for MTV's scripted push comes its reboot of comedy The Inbetweeners, due Aug. 20, with comedic drama Underemployed set for the fall.

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According to Social Guide, Awkward ranks as one of the top five most social shows across cable and broadcast with the cast picking up awards season attention. Mirchoff this week took home the Teen Choice Award for breakout star for his performance, with Rickards picking up a Critics Choice Television Award nomination for actress in a comedy series as well as a Teen Choice mention.

Awkward airs Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. on MTV.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit