USA Network has renewed its signature drama series “Mr. Robot” for a third season. The pickup was a fait accompli after the show secured an Emmy nomination for best drama series for its freshman year, when it emerged as a sleeper hit for USA. “Mr. Robot” is in the midst of its 10-episode second season.
The show produced by Universal Cable Productions remains a modest performer from a ratings standpoint, with its most recent airing on Aug. 10 grabbing 572,000 total viewers in Nielsen’s live-plus-same-day ratings. But the stylish thriller, created and exec produced by Sam Esmail , is bulletproof when it comes to ratings. The show has put USA on the map as a player in the prestige drama sweepstakes — grabbing Peabody, AFI, Writers Guild and Golden Globe kudos to date — as well as being a social media magnet.
“We couldn’t be more proud of ‘Mr. Robot,’ a series that has pushed boundaries, captured the cultural zeitgeist, and been honored as one of the best dramas on television,” said Chris McCumber, president of entertainment networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “Midway through its second season, ‘Mr. Robot’ continues to break new ground and open up new opportunities for the network.”
Added Jeff Wachtel, chief content officer for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment: “Being the home studio for this wonderful, completely original show is an exhilarating experience. Sam and company just keep taking it to another level.”
Esmail was a newcomer to TV in “Mr. Robot’s” first season but made an impressive debut as the solo showrunner of the complex series. For season two, Esmail upped the ante by directing all 10 episodes.
“Mr. Robot” stars Rami Malek as a disaffected IT whiz who gets recruited into an underground hacker group to wreak havoc on corporate America. Christian Slater, Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin and Martin Wallstrom also star.
