The CW is locking in more of its 2021-22 schedule.
The network has picked up a second season of Kung Fu, which has gotten off to a strong start, and a third run of DC series Stargirl, three months ahead of its second-season premiere in the summer. Both are from Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions, the latter of which now has eight series set at The CW for next season.
“We are beyond proud to continue to share the stories of Nicky Shen and Courtney Whitmore, two strong, powerful young women at the center of this new generation of hit shows for The CW in Kung Fu and DC’s Stargirl, said CW chairman Mark Pedowitz. “While each boasts remarkable talent on both sides of the camera, Kung Fu and Stargirl have not only treated fans to some visually stunning action and high-flying heroics, but they also both strike very powerful emotional chords as they delve into the family dynamics and personal relationships at their core, and we are so excited to see what happens next.”
The two renewals bring The CW’s tally of scripted pickups for the 2021-22 season to 15, including all three first-year shows that have debuted so far this season: Kung Fu, Walker and Superman & Lois. The only rookie the network has yet to make a decision on is The Republic of Sarah, which premieres in June.
Kung Fu has performed well out of the gate: The CW says the series premiere has amassed 3.5 million viewers, including encore showings on TNT and weekend reruns on CW affiliates. In seven-day ratings from Nielsen, the series is averaging about 2.11 million viewers over its first two episodes, with the second (2.17 million) topping the premiere (2.05 million).
A reimagining of the 1970s show that starred David Carradine, Kung Fu centers on Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang), a Chinese American woman who, after studying at a monastery in China, returns to her hometown of San Francisco to battle crime and corruption. Christina M. Kim wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner with Robert Berens. They executive produce with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Martin Gero and David Madden.
Stargirl debuted last summer to solid numbers; its second season is due to premiere on Aug. 10. Brec Bassinger plays the title character in the series, which is based on a comic by Geoff Johns, who serves as showrunner. Johns, Berlanti and Schechter exec produce.