

After it just wrapped a sixth consecutive summer ratings victory, USA Network has renewed the remaining three original summer series that hadn’t gotten a pickup yet: sophomore Covert Affairs, veteran Royal Pains and freshman Necessary Roughness. All have received 16-episode orders. “USA’s original programming blew through all expectations this summer,” USA co-presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber said.
“Every series in our unprecedented lineup was a standout.”
USA unspooled a record eight original series this summer and, with the exception of Law & Order: CI, which ended its 10-season run, the network has renewed all others including White Collar, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight (for a final season), freshman Suits and now Covert Affairs, Royal Pains and Necessary Roughness. USA’s haul of seven series renewals in one season is the largest ever for a cable network and more than the broadcast networks normally bring back too. What’s more, USA didn’t cancel a single show, also something pretty unprecedented.
Covert Affairs, which posted year-to-year growth in all ratings categories, stars Piper Perabo, who is joined by Christopher Gorham, Kari Matchett, Anne Dudek, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Peter Gallagher. Creators Matt Corman and Chris Ord are executive producing with Doug Liman and David Bartis for Universal Cable Prods. Royal Pains, which drew an average of 7.2 million viewers this summer, has been renewed for a fourth season. It stars Mark Feuerstein, Paulo Costanzo, Reshma Shetty and Jill Flint. From Universal Cable Prods., the series is written and executive produced by Andrew Lenchewski and Michael Rauch, with Prospect Park’s Rich Frank, Paul Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz also exec producing. Necessary Roughness, which has averaged 5.9 million total viewers for its freshman season — 2.4 million in adults 18-49 to date — stars Callie Thorne and co-stars Mehcad Brooks, Marc Blucas and Scott Cohen. The series was created and is executive produced by Liz Kruger & Craig Shapiro, with Jeffrey Lieber and Kevin Dowling also exec producing for Sony Pictures TV and Universal Cable Prods.
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Covert Affairs is such a great show. Congrats to all!
Agreed. Piper is amazing and has a great future. It’s a little strange to see her fill out a bikini on the show and then go on Craig Ferguson totally flat-chested. Either one works for me, though.
It’s a little like Jeremy Pivem in THE PLAYER totally bald and then showing up on Entourage 20 years later with a full head of hair.
Glad USA finally renewed Necessary Roughness, the season finale rocked! And Criminal Intent fans aren’t done yet: they want the show renewed; facebook.com/renewcriminalintent
Donofrio already booked a show for the fall… sorry but CI ain’t coming back (maybe TV movies at some point).
nice to hear all the shows got a pick up for another season even the new one necessary roughness .
Actually, USA picked up In Plain Sight for two seasons when they renewed it last year. This year, they effectively canceled the series after its already-agreed-upon fifth season.
Just sayin’…
No mention of “Fairly Legal”? I’m guessing it was picked up since it says there were no cancellations?
It was picked up; but will undergo some changes before it returns.
Yippee!! I love and watch all of these with the exception of Burn Notice. I am bummed that In Plain Sight has been cancelled but at least we get one more season. I think the cancellation of this show, Chuck on NBC and Eureka over on the SyFy channel are HUGE mistakes but you can’t keep everything on the air. And thanks USA for bringing so many back!
USA has mastered the formula:
-Sexy actors
-Blue skies
-Cool premises
-Free reign to showrunners
Remember when TV had 27 episodes in a season? Looks like it’s almost half now.
Not a h8r. Just speaking the truth. I prefer shows that have depth and cleverness and scope.
Necessary Roughness and Suits are absolutely amazing! Some of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. Royal Pains was really good this season. I like it better than last season. I just can’t get with Covert Affairs at all as I was a big Alias fan and have trouble not comparing the lead character to Jennifer Garner. The first season, she didn’t even know how to fight.
Royal Pains! HELL YEAH!!!
Hands down Suits tops them all. The actors and writing are insanely great. I agree with the post on Alias vs. Covert Affairs. I think CA will be the first to go. They seem to struggle with the spy thing vs. being a civilian. Can’t wait for Suits to come back a year from now.
why does unnecessary roughness pysch dr. matched up with an actor that has no chemistry with her. pair her up with the dark hair manager who seems more her age and believable as a possible relationship person.