Merely three weeks into its summer run on Global and ABC, the Canadian cop series Rookie Blue on Monday landed a second season order from the broadcasters, thanks to a strong launch last month.

Blue bowed on June 24 to 2.1 million viewers on Global and 7.3 million on ABC, winning the night on both casters. It has continued to perform well in the Thursday 9 p.m. slot with an average 1.7 million over three episodes in Canada, which, combined with ABC, amounts to 8.5 million viewers overall. (All numbers 2+.)

E1 Entertainment’s president of dramatic programming Noreen Halpern says ABC had until Monday to come on board the second season of Blue, which follows five young police officers just out of the academy.

‘ABC’s option was up, and so they had to make a decision. But it’s not like we had to strong-arm anyone into it,’ she adds, noting that both broadcasters have been very supportive of the series.

Production on the 13 x 60 sophomore season will get underway later this summer in Toronto and the broadcaster has confirmed that it is open to discussing integration opportunities with brands. A season two broadcast date has yet to be determined.