It appears that the network FX has hit the mark with Justified.

According to EW.com, “Since premiering in March, the acclaimed Timothy Olyphant drama has averaged a strong 3.4 million viewers. It ranks as this this year’s No. 1 new series on basic cable among men 18-49 (1.1 million).”  The Justified premiere was the most watched in FX history with 4.9 million viewers, beating out the previous record holder The Shield with 4.8 million.  The season finale will air June 8th, and the show’s just been picked up for a 13 episode second season.

“We are very excited about the tremendous, widespread acclaim that Justified has received from both audiences and television critics,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks.

 “Graham Yost, Tim Olyphant, Elmore Leonard and their talented partners have crafted a uniquely ambitious and entertaining series which is everything we aspired to when we developed the show.”

Justified is based on the popular Elmore Leonard character Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens who is featured in the short story Fire In The Hole and in the novels Pronto and Riding The Rap.  Givens is a tough but soft-spoken lawman who has his own idea of what justice is.  This puts him at odds with his federal bosses but allows him to do his job efficiently.

Personally I’m just glad they’re showing that southern accents can be attached to handsome, intelligent men.  Congratulations on the renewal!