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FX 'Sons of Anarchy' rides for season three, ratings bonanza for finale

By April MacIntyre Dec 3, 2009, 1:19 GMT

Otto, Tig, Piney, Juice, Bobby, Clay, Chief Unser, Gemma, Tara, Hale, Jax, Chibs, Opie and all the gang are riding high and back for season three, unofficially tipped a while ago by showrunner Kurt Sutter (Otto), and finally FINALLY officially announced by FX.

Otto, Tig, Piney, Juice, Bobby, Clay, Chief Unser, Gemma, Tara, Hale, Jax, Chibs, Opie and all the gang are riding high and back for season three, unofficially tipped a while ago by showrunner Kurt Sutter (Otto), and finally FINALLY officially announced by FX.

The off-the-hook fantastic finale last night delivered the series' highest ratings.

The season was aided by riveting work by Henry Rollins as Weston, who got his due in a bathroom stall point blank, and the cryptic enigma of Adam Arkin as Zobelle, on the run and still a wild card, and even Tom Arnold, the porn producer Georgie Caruso, who still lurks "out there" in unresolved action and revenge.

Also adding to the mix was a brilliant performance by Titus Welliver as IRA chieftain Jimmy O, and the wonderful contingent of Irish actors who are now at loggerheads with SAMCRO over Eddie's murder and ex IRA member Chib's history with them.

Ally Walker as Agent Stahl just nailed every scene she was in, and her gaze and great lines delivered made all of her work crackle with electricity.

So the official tally is in:

From FX:

SOA Is Basic Cable’s #1 Scripted Series in Adults 18-49 and Men 18-49 in 2009

All series regulars are in place to return next season.

Network Orders 13-Episode Third Season Coming in September 2010

Kurt Sutter Signs Two-Year Deal To Continue As SOA Showrunner 

Add to this:

It was also the top-rated show on television in the 10:00 PM time period among Men 18-49 (1.92 million) and Men 18-34 (1.09 million), beating all three broadcast networks.

The episode was the most-watched ever for Sons, surpassing its season two premiere (4.29 million total viewers). 

FX President and General Manager John Landgraf announced that the network has ordered 13 episodes for the show’s third season, which is scheduled to begin in September 2010. Creator/Executive Producer Kurt Sutter reached a deal on a two-year extension to continue his services as showrunner/writer on Sons.

In addition to taking cable’s top spot Tuesday among total viewers, Adults 18-49, Men 18-49 and Men 18-34, the season finale, written and directed by Sutter, was also number one in delivery of Adults 18-34 (1.57 million), Women 18-49 (1.06 million), Adults 25-54 (2.77 million), Men 25-54 (1.71 million), and Women 25-54 (1.06 million).

For its 13-episode second season, Sons averaged 3.67 million total viewers and 2.56 million Adults 18-49, which represented respective gains of +66% and +75% versus season one averages. Sons of Anarchy is basic cable’s top scripted series for 2009 in delivery of Adults 18-49 and Men 18-49.

During its 13-week run, the second season of Sons of Anarchy was television’s #1 series in the Tuesday 10:00 PM time period.

“The success of Sons of Anarchy is very gratifying and the show has become a bona-fide hit,” said Landgraf. “The critics have recognized Sons as one the best series on television, and the show has earned its place alongside FX’s great drama series The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me and Damages. Creatively, this season was spectacular and all credit goes to Kurt and the incredible cast led by Katey Sagal, Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman.”

Sutter said, “This has been a wonderful ride and we’re just getting started. I’m really proud of the work by our incredible cast and crew.  The response this season from the fans and critics has been terrific and I can’t wait to get back to the writer’s room and start on season three.”

Amen, brother.