Doug Liman has had great success in film, but his TV track record has been spotty throughout the last decade. He helped make The O.C. a cultural phenomenon in its first season, but his other shows – including the the abysmal Heist and Knight Rider reboot – failed to hold an audience. However, his losing streak on the tube is over at last, as USA has renewed Covert Affairs for a second season a month into its run.
The news comes on the heels of the espionage action program hitting series highs across the board on Tuesday, including total viewers (5.4 million, up 4% from last week) and adults 18-49 (2.3 million, up 15%). Starring Piper Perabo and Peter Gallagher, the show has grown with the airing of each new episode since its July 13th premiere. It has remained the No.1 cable series of the year among 18-49 (2.52 million).
I attribute the success of Covert Affairs to the network itself, which has also enjoyed fantastic ratings from another top-rated spy show – Burn Notice. The audience has been eating up these kind of programs when they are executed correctly and Covert Affairs has the behind-the-scenes talent to support its solid cast, making for a smart and sexy hour of television.
Covert Affairs is produced by Universal Cable Prods. and executive produced by Doug Liman and Dave Bartis through their Dutch Oven shingle and written and co-executive produced by Matt Corman and Chris Ord. James Parriott serves as executive producer with Jonathan Glassner asco-executive producer.
Source: Deadline
