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'Sons of Anarchy' rides into season two on FX

By April MacIntyre Oct 7, 2008, 0:31 GMT

FX's gritty drama of mothers, sons, cruisers and gun-running is renewed for a second season. 08/24/2008 - Charlie Hunnam -

08/24/2008 - Charlie Hunnam - "Sons of Anarchy" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals - Paramount Theater - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Tony Lowe / PR Photos"Sons of Anarchy" is FX’s most successful series in ratings figures of adults 18-49 since network star, "Rescue Me." The motor will remain running on its critically acclaimed biker drama "Sons of Anarchy", picking up the series for a 13-episode second season order, today announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks. The ratings have been very high for the cable drama, and FX reports that on a weekly five-telecast cume, the series is averaging 5.4 million total viewers and has retained 97% of its total viewers since premiere. Based on week-to-week ratings, "Sons of Anarchy" is FX’s most consistent first year drama ever.

Hunnam as Jax and Sagal as Gemma

“It’s incredibly gratifying to everyone at FX in at this time when The Shield – the show that got our critically acclaimed original programming brand started – is airing its final season, their loyal audience has embraced Sons of Anarchy and made it a success,” said Landgraf. “We’re also very proud of the day-in-day-out creative excellence the Sons of Anarchy writers and actors are bringing to the table.” "Sons of Anarchy" stars Newcastle, English-born Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman. The series was created by Sagal's husband, Kurt Sutter who also serves as Executive Producer. John Linson and Art Linson are Executive Producers. "Sons of Anarchy has been a fantastic collaboration between the producers, Fox21 and FX and we are thrilled about this second season pick-up," said Fox21 Senior Vice President Jane Francis. "This enormously talented cast and crew have produced a truly distinctive and remarkable television series, and viewers have responded. We couldn't be more pleased."

Sutter said, “I think the underlying themes of family and the common man's fight against oppressive corporate greed has grabbed people's attention. It's relatable, it's very timely and it's why the audience is coming back week after week. I love the action and the dark places the show goes, but ultimately it's the bigger, more poignant themes that inspire me.” A crack ensemble cast rounds out "Sons of Anarchy", described by FX as an "adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club intent on protecting their sheltered small town against encroaching drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous law officers."SAMCRO is quietly overseen by Gemma (Sagal), who is married to Clay (Perlman) as she protects her son Jax (Hunnam) stakes as eventual club leader and operator overseeing their illegal thriving arms business. Hunnam spoke to Monsters and Critics today and noted that he will not watch the finished episodes until the series first season ends for him, and that working with all the actors has been an incredible experience. That interview will post later this week.All new episodes of the first season of "Sons of Anarchy" air Wednesdays at 10 PM ET/PT through November 26th. Upcoming episode descriptions are listed below: Episode 6 – "AK-51" – 10/8/08LOGLINE: A small favor for Piney’s old war buddy turns into a big problem for SAMCRO. With Clay detained, Jax must step-up to handle the situation. Meanwhile, Gemma deals with the pangs of aging and the arrival of a familiar sweetbutt whose intentions are unclear.Writer: Nichole BeattieDirector: Seith Mann Episode 7 – "Old Bones" – 10/15/08LOGLINE: When old bones are discovered on the outskirts of Charming, Clay is forced to deal with secrets he buried long ago. Meanwhile, the club sets its sights on prize money, backing Half-Sack in a bare-knuckle brawl. ATF agent Kohn’s investigation turns personal when his true intentions are revealed.Writer: Dave EricksonDirector: Gwyneth Horder-Payton Episode 8 – "The Pull" – 10/22/08LOGLINE: With the IRA gun payment looming, SAMCRO scrambles to come up with the cash. The Mayans and Nords take a drastic step in strengthening their alliance. And Jax finds himself in a dangerous position with Tara.Writer: Kurt Sutter & Jack LoGiudiceDirector: Guy Ferland