In an effort of full disclosure, we have not screened a single second of TNT’s series Falling Skies.  Even the ‘from Executive Producer Steven Spielberg’ title card couldn’t get us interested enough to set up the DVR in an attempt to give the show a chance to win our interest. 

At first, we thought that the show which chronicles the world after an alien attack and the survivors struggle to protect themselves from the always menacing alien occupation, was doomed to be cancelled.  This fate felled another executive produced Spielberg effort with Terra Nova and we were not apt to give our time to a show that might have the carpet pulled from underneath itself. 

Boy, were we wrong.  Not only has Falling Skies thrived as cable’s #1 summer drama, but it has just been picked up for what will be a third season.  TNT made the full announcement today:
 
TNT has ordered a third season of its epic original series Falling Skies, from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg. The critically acclaimed drama starring Noah Wyle finished its first season last year as basic cable’s top new series of 2011. Currently averaging 5.9 million viewers, the series ranks as basic cable’s #1 summer drama with adults 18-49. TNT has ordered 10 episodes Falling Skies’ third season, slated to air in 2013.

“Falling Skies is television storytelling at its very best, a powerful drama that’s told on both an epic scale and on a deeply personal level,” said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “With all the memorable and surprising moments taking place during the second season of Falling Skies, we can’t wait to see what DreamWorks Television and Falling Skies’ terrific production team and cast members have in store for season three.”

Falling Skies, which currently airs on TNT Sundays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), chronicles the devastating aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the months since the initial invasion, the few remaining survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force, whose nature and purpose remains a mystery.

Noah Wyle stars in Falling Skies as Tom Mason, a former college professor and father of three, who has become an unlikely leader for the 2nd Massachusetts civilian resistance group. Moon Bloodgood also stars as Anne Glass, a pediatrician who works with the survivors to help them cope with the traumatic upheaval in their lives. Will Patton plays Weaver, a fierce military leader of the resistance and Tom’s commanding officer. The series also stars Drew Roy as Hal, Tom’s oldest son and a growing fighter in the resistance movement; Connor Jessup as Ben, Tom’s middle son who was rescued from the aliens and now uses his unique abilities to help the resistance; Maxim Knight as Matt, Tom’s youngest son, who wants to grow up ahead of his time; and Seychelle Gabriel as Lourdes, an orphaned pre-med student who helps Anne in the group’s makeshift medical clinic. Mpho Koaho and Peter Shinkoda play Anthony and Dai, two resistance fighters in the 2nd Mass.; Colin Cunningham is John Pope, the head of a gang of marauders called the Berserkers; and Sarah Carter is Maggie, a wary survivor from Pope’s gang.

Guest-starring this season are Brandon Jay McLaren (The Killing), who plays resident engineer and technology expert Jamil Dexter, and Terry O’Quinn (Lost), who will appear in this season’s final two episodes as Arthur Manchester, Tom’s mentor and former professor.

Falling Skies comes to TNT from DreamWorks Television and is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank. Remi Aubuchon and Greg Beeman are also executive producers. The series was created by Robert Rodat.

Following each week’s episode of Falling Skies on TNT, fans can head over the Falling Skies website – http://fallingskies.com – for the latest installment of 2nd Watch, a weekly online talk show hosted by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Leverage). Each episode features discussions on the latest episode and interviews with special guests from the cast and crew, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, fan questions, trivia and more.

TNT’s announcement that Falling Skies has been renewed for a third season comes just as the cast prepares to make an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego. Series stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Connor Jessup, Colin Cunningham and Sarah Carter, along with executive producer Remi Aubuchon, will join moderator Wil Wheaton for a panel session on Friday, July 13, at 4:30 p.m. (PT) in room 6BCF at the San Diego Convention Center. An autograph signing will follow at the Dark Horse Comics booth at 6 p.m. (PT). TNT has partnered with Dark Horse Comics on a number of Falling Skies initiatives, including a prequel comic book that preceded last year’s series premiere.

In its debut season last summer, TNT’s Falling Skies topped the charts as basic cable’s #1 new series of 2011. This year, the show is off to a strong start, averaging 5.9 million viewers in Live + 7. It has also scored 2.7 million adults 18-49 (L+7) and ranks as basic cable’s #1 drama for the summer-to-date in that key demo. The show has brought in 3.1 million adults 25-54, ranking it behind TNT’s Dallas as basic cable’s #2 summer drama. On the international front, Falling Skies premiered in more than 115 global markets last year, achieving hit status in the United Kingdom, Australia and Latin America, among others. Last year’s launch of Falling Skies also ranked as the biggest series premiere ever for TNT networks in Spain, Germany and Austria.