LOS ANGELES, October 17, 2011 – FX has ordered a 13 episode fifth season of its critically acclaimed hit drama Sons of Anarchy, from Fox 21 and FX Productions, announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks.
Starring Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman and Golden Globe® Award winner Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy is having its best season yet from a ratings standpoint. It’s currently the #1 scripted drama series in all of basic cable, and is the highest-rated series ever on FX. On a first-run basis, season four is averaging 5.8 million Total Viewers and 3.9 million Adults 18-49, increases of +30% and +26%, respectively, vs. season three. On a multi-telecast weekly basis, season four is averaging 9 million Total Viewers and 6 million Adults 18-49.
The series has shown remarkable consistency week-to-week. The premiere episode of season four (9/6/11) was the most-watched program in FX history, with 6.5 million Total Viewers. Last week’s episode (episode 6, 10/11/11) was the highest-rated episode in the past four weeks (Live + Same Day).
“Everyone at FX is very grateful to Kurt Sutter, his many writing, directing and producing collaborators and his masterful cast for making such a compelling and beautifully crafted show,” said Landgraf. “It is no small challenge to bring the themes of a great, ancient play like Hamlet into a wholly original television setting and to tell this complex story in a way that is both riveting and accessible to a broad audience. The fans know how beautifully SOA meets this challenge, and we thank them for their loyal and passionate viewership.”
Seven all-new episodes remain in SOA’s current fourth season airing Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT. In the next episode of Sons of Anarchy (“Fruit for the Crows,” October 18, 10PM ET/PT), SAMCRO deals with the fallout from a death threat made against Tara.
