L-r: Roselyn Sanchez, Edy Ganem, Ana Ortiz,
Dania Ramirez and Judy Reyes
For all the controversy and a lukewarm start, Lifetime has given Devious Maids a vote of confidence, and an order for 13 more episodes.
The series, starring Ana Ortiz, Dania Ramirez, Roselyn Sanchez, Edy Ganem, Judy Reyes, and Paula Garcés (in flashbacks) was originally passed over by ABC, even though ABC Studios produces it. It was only a matter of a few days after ABC’s rejection that Lifetime stepped forward and signed Marc Cherryand the gang for 13 episodes.
Eva Longoria
DM’s origins are well known–it’s based on the Mexican telenovela Ellas son la Alegría del Hogar, and its development by the man behind ABC’s hugely successful Desperate Housewives. And the continuing, often heated discussion about the over-sexualizing of its characters and its perpetuation of Latina stereotypes isn’t likely to fade away. But the fact is that the show, which began on June 23 with fairly week ratings, has been growing fairly steadily every week since its premiere. The last episodes attracted nearly 2 million total viewers, and DM became the fastest-growing drama in Lifetime’s history. It’s also put Lifetime in first place among cable networks on Sunday night at 10P.
Eva Longoria, one of the executive producers of the show, announced the renewal on her Twitterfeed first, then Lifetime made it official. The second season premiere dates have yet to be announced.
