Firehouse series Rescue Me has been renewed for a fifth season.
FX has ordered a 22-episode fifth season of the show from Sony Pictures Television. Production on the series, for which Denis Leary has twice received best actor Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Tommy Gavin, a troubled New York City fireman still trying to emerge from the personal/professional ashes of Sept. 11, is slated to begin next spring. Leary, Peter Tolan and Jim Serpico will return as executive producers and show runners, along with all of the series regulars, according to network officials.
The fifth season will be split into two separate cycles, a tack taken by FX with the current fifth campaign of Nip/Tuck, USA Network with Monk and Sci Fi Channel with Battlestar Galactica.
The network has also renewed sophomore seasons of The Riches and Dirt. There was no word at press time whether FX has elected to return Glenn Closer-starrer Damages for a second season.
Since its launch in July 2004, Rescue Me has been one of basic cable’s strongest performers among adults 18 to 49. Last season, first-run episodes averaged a 1.9 million delivery of the Madison Avenue-coveted demo and 2.8 million total viewers. The show’s weekly four telecast cume averaged 3.2 million demo watchers and 4.8 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research data from the network.
“Rescue Me has always been the product of the unique vision and talents of Denis Leary, Peter Tolan and Jim Serpico, along with one of the best acting ensembles on television,” said FX Networks president and general manager John Landgraf in a statement. “The show has been a great source of pride to FX, and remains one of the cornerstones of our respected brand of original series. We’re thrilled to announce that the fans will be getting at least 22 more episodes of Rescue Me’s audacious and original blend of comedy and tragedy.”
