Lifetime Re-ups Frosh Hit Drop Dead Diva

Lifetime Television's freshman dramedy series Drop Dead Diva will live for another season.

The women's targeted network has ordered 13 new episodes of the series, which stars Brooke Elliott as a plus-size attorney whose soul is actually that of a shallow aspiring model who dies in a sudden accident.

The series, which debuted July 12, is averaging 2.6 million viewers per episode this season and has cumed 50.1 million total viewers to date in its 9 p.m. Sunday time period.

"Drop Dead Diva is one of those rare gems that has charmed both viewers and critics, and I am proud to announce a season two pick-up," said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks in a statement. [Series creator] Josh Berman, [executive producers] Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and their talented team have delivered an amazing show that is helping us to grow and evolve the Lifetime brand."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.