BBC America, Cinemax Renew Series

BBC America and Cinemax Tuesday announced renewals of two freshman series.

BBC America will bring back its drama series Ripper Street for a second season in 2014, according to network officials. The series, set in the East End of London in 1889, during the aftermath of the Jack The Ripper murders, generated 400,000 viewers in its Jan. 26 premiere, according to Nielsen.

Cinemax will return its scripted series Banshee for a sophomore run in 2014, according to network officials. Banshee stars Antony Starr (Rush) as an ex-con who assumes the identity of the sheriff of a Pennsylvania town while continuing his criminal activities, said network officials.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.