A&E Renews 'The Cleaner'

Zap2It.com | October 27, 2008

'The Cleaner'

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Benjamin Bratt drama will premiere its second season in 2009

A&E has ordered up a second season of "The Cleaner."

The cable network announced that the Benjamin Bratt drama will return to production shortly on 13 new episodes, set to premiere in 2009.

"The Cleaner" was A&E's first original drama series in several years and has averaged 4.2 million viewers per week, a figure that takes into account three weekly telecasts. That figure includes an average of 2.2 million viewers in the key 18-49 demographic.

A&E boasts that "The Clean," featuring Bratt as "extreme interventionist" Warren Boyd, has doubled the key demo ratings from the cable network's two previous dramas, "Nero Wolfe" and "100 Centre Street."

"'The Cleaner' has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season," says Bob DeBitetto, A&E's president and general manager. "Its authentic, dramatic storytelling combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect."

Created by Jonathan Price ("American Dreams"), "The Cleaner" is part of A&E's fresh push back into original dramatic programming. "The Beast," starring Patrick Swayze, has already been ordered to series.