Lifetime has given a early second season pickup to "Drop Dead Diva," the hit new drama from creator Josh Berman and exec producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
According to industry insiders, the network has ordered 13 additional episodes of the Sony Pictures Television-produced hour, which stars Brooke Elliott and Margaret Cho. "Diva" has averaged 2.6 million viewers since premiering July 12 in the tough 9 p.m. Sunday slot, and this past weekend scored its best-yet numbers in key female demos.
Lifetime is expected to make the renewal official later today or tomorrow. The new episodes will air in 2010.
Berman (via Osprey Prods), along with Zadan and Meron (via Storyline) are executive producers of "Diva." Alex Taub is also an exec producer.
Among the guest stars on the first season of "Diva": Paula Abdul, Liza Minnelli, Delta Burke and Rosie O’Donnell.
