Showtime orders more "Californication"

David Duchovny poses in Los Angeles March 27, 2007. Showtime has given a second-season pickup to its freshman comedy series ''Californication.'' The premium network has ordered 12 new episodes of the half-hour series, starring Duchovny as a novelist who moves to Los Angeles and develops a case of writer's block.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Showtime has given a second-season pickup to its freshman comedy series "Californication."

The premium network has ordered 12 new episodes of the half-hour series, starring David Duchovny as a novelist who moves to Los Angeles and develops a case of writer's block. Natascha McElhone co-stars as the mother of his preteen daughter (Madeleine Martin). Evan Handler and Madeline Zima round out the cast.

The show is set to enter production on Season 2 in April for a likely summer debut.

"Californication," which airs at 10:30 p.m. Mondays after "Weeds," debuted August 13. The most recent three first-run episodes are averaging 18% more viewers than the series premiere, which drew 550,000 total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. The series also is holding on to 90% of its "Weeds" lead-in audience on Monday nights and is appealing almost equally to men and women (51% vs. 49%).

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter