Showtime's Episodes Renewed For Third Season

Alternate title: "Matt LeBlanc Thrilled to Continue Playing Matt LeBlanc For One More Year."

Indeed, today Showtime announced the "Friends"-starring hit "Episodes" will return next year for a nine-episode third season. The second season recently ended in August, averaging a respectable 1.6 million viewers across all platforms. The series is notable in that it is a co-production between Showtime in the US and the BBC in the UK.

The series, created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, revolves around a successful, award-winning British husband-and-wife writing team who are enticed to remake their popular UK series for US audiences. Numerous complications ensue as the Hollywood brass put pressure on the couple to make significant changes to the series, including casting the former "Friends" star in the lead role.

LeBlanc has seen much critical acclaim since taking the series, being nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy and taking home the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The series co-stars Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig as the stressed writing team of Sean and Beverly Lincoln.

Production on the new season is set to begin next year and will take place in both Los Angeles and London.