TNT orders a third 'Leverage' season

Christian Kane of 'Leverage'

Credit: Michael Muller/TNT

Kudos to "Leverage" for getting a third season and for TNT's efforts to keep getting "Leverage" on the entertainment news blotter.

One week after announcing that the summer season of "Leverage" would continue for two additional weeks through Wednesday, Sept. 9, TNT has also announced that the series will be back for a third season next summer.

The dramedy, focusing on a team of con artists, grifters, crooks and thieves who stick it to The Man on a weekly basis, will finish the summer half of its second season on the aforementioned date and will be back at an undetermined point in the winter with the last six episodes of the 15 episode season.

Then, in the summer of 2010, "Leverage" -- with stars Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge -- will launch a new 15 episode season.

"Thanks in large part to its engaging cast and clever storytelling, 'Leverage' has proven itself to be one of the most exciting and fun hours on television," states Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and TCM.  "The producers, cast and crew have been incredible to work with, and we anticipate another wonderful season."

"Leverage" has averaged 4.1 million viewers this season and ranks as ad-supported cable's top Wednesday program among adults 25-54.