'Fringe' gets a second season

"Fringe" fans won't have to sweat out the show's fate until FOX's schedule announcement in two weeks: The show will be back next season.

FOX confirmed what had been widely presumed on Monday by giving the official go-ahead to season two of "Fringe," which is the top-rated new series in the adults 18-49 demographic this season. The show ends its first season May 12 with an episode guest-starring "Star Trek's" Leonard Nimoy as William Bell, the mysterious founder of Massive Dynamic.

"'Fringe' proved to be a notable addition to our schedule all season, and it really has fans buzzing as it builds to a fantastic season finale," FOX Entertainment president Kevin Reilly says. "[Co-creator J.J. Abrams] and the whole Bad Robot team have been phenomenal partners, and we look forward to years of making great television with them."

Given the show's status as one of the season's few success stories -- it draws a 4.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and about 10 million viewers overall -- the renewal falls into the no-brainer category. The show's producers have talked openly of their plans for next season, including a potential romantic liaison between Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter (Joshua Jackson).

FOX will announce its full lineup for 2009-10 at its upfront presentation on Monday, May 18.

Source: Zap2it

BTW: May 18 is my birthday too, but FOX already gave me my present :)

FOX press release:

FOX PICKS UP SECOND SEASON OF “FRINGE”

No. 1 New Series Among Adults 18-49 Renewed for Full Season

Season Finale Guest-Starring Leonard Nimoy Airs

Tuesday, May 12, on FOX

FOX has renewed FRINGE, the No. 1 new series among Adults 18-49, with a full second season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company.

“FRINGE proved to be a notable addition to our schedule all season and it really has fans buzzing as it builds to a fantastic season finale,” said Reilly. “J.J. and the whole Bad Robot team have been phenomenal partners, and we look forward to years of making great television with them.”

“FRINGE continues to gain momentum, creatively and with viewers,” said J.J. Abrams, series co-creator and executive producer. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that FRINGE will continue to freak people out for at least another season!”

FRINGE has captivated audiences this season, winning its Tuesday time period weekly among key demographics and ranks as the No. 1 new series in primetime among Adults 18-49.

Questions will be answered when the first season of FRINGE wraps up with two all-new episodes. First, on Tuesday, May 5 (9:01-10:00 PM ET/PT), Olivia experiences “awake dreams,” Walter divulges key information about the Z.F.T. manifesto and Peter reveals a secret that yields unexpected results in a disturbing case. In the climactic finale airing Tuesday, May 12 (9:04-10:00 PM ET/PT), discoveries are made, loyalties are tested, otherworldly origins are discovered and guest star Leonard Nimoy debuts as a pivotal person of interest.

Created by J.J. Abrams & Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, FRINGE stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown and Jasika Nicole. The series is produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner, Bryan Burk and J.H. Wyman serve as executive producers, while Kurtzman and Orci are consulting producers. Additionally, Pinkner and Wyman serve as the series’ showrunners.