Syfy Renews 'The Magicians'

Syfy has renewed its freshman drama series The Magicians for a second season, the network said Monday.

The series, based on the bestselling novels from Lev Grossman and follows a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic, will return for a 13-episode second season projected to launch in 2017, according to network officials.

The series is averaging 1.7 million viewers (Nielsen Live+3 data) through the first three episodes of its freshman campaign. The series is produced by John McNamara (Aquarius), Sera Gamble (Supernatural), Henry Alonso Myers (Covert Affairs) and Groundswell Productions' Michael London and Janice Williams (Milk).

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.