The CW made a quick decision to order its spinoff of The Vampire Diaries to go straight to series. The network also renewed two other shows.
Back in January, plans for a Vampire Diaries spinoff titled The Originals was first announced. The back-door pilot aired on Thursday and only drew 2.2 million viewers and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which was lower than an average Diaries episode.
Nevertheless, that was apparently good enough to get the show a full series order, reports Entertainment Weekly. Diaries co-creator Julie Plec wrote the pilot episode and will produce the series.
According to The LA Times, the CW also renewed freshman series Beauty & The Beast and Hart of Dixie, which will enter its third season in the fall.
“Both series continue to be creatively strong and compelling, and their fans are incredibly passionate. I’m very happy to have all three series on the schedule for next season,” CW President Mark Pedowitz commented.
Arrow, Diaries and Supernatural will also be back for the 2013-2014 season. The network hasn’t made a decision on The Carrie Diaries or Nikita.