DirecTV orders more MMA drama Kingdom

US pay TV platform operator DirecTV has ordered 20 more episodes of MMA drama Kingdom, which it will release in 10-episode batches in 2015 and 2016.

Endemol Studios produces the US drama and Endemol Worldwide Distribution launched it internationally at MIPCOM last week.

The series is a family drama set in California against a backdrop of a Mixed Martial Arts gym. It stars Frank Grillo (Captain America) as the MMA gym owner and pop star Nick Jonas plays his son.

Kingdom launched on DirecTV’s Audience Network earlier this month. Production on the new episodes will get underway next spring before debuting on the DirecTV channel in the autumn. The next ten episodes will follow a year later.

“DirecTV could not be more thrilled by the response that last week’s premiere of Kingdom elicited from both critics and our viewers,” said Chris Long, senior VP original content and production at the pay TV firm. “The series very clearly resonated with DIRECTV’s subscribers.”

“Knowing that Kingdom will be on the schedule for years to come is a milestone,” added Endemol Studios boss Philippe Maigret, CEO. “We are fortunate to have a show that premiered out of the gate to critical acclaim. We are grateful to DirecTV for being a supportive partner.”

EWD has already shopped the show to Bravo in Canada.