LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- "Under the Dome," the science fiction TV series which focuses on a small U.S. town that is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome, will return for a second season next year after breaking summer ratings records.

The series, which is based on Stephen King's best-selling novel of the same name, premiered on June 24 on U.S. television network CBS. The debut episode scored approximately 13.14 million viewers, making it the most-watched summer drama premiere broadcast on any U.S. network since 1992.

Following reports that CBS was exploring ways to continue the series' success into another season, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler announced Monday that "Under the Dome" will return for a second season with a total of 13 episodes. She said Stephen King will write the premiere episode of next year's season.

"We're excited to tell more stories about the mystery of the dome and the secrets in Chester's Mill, and are thrilled to have the master storyteller himself, Stephen King, tell the first one of next season," Tassler said, giving no details about which cast members are expected to return.

The summer hit series tells the story of a small New England town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town's inhabitants must deal with surviving the post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from and if and when it will go away.

"Under the Dome" has pulled in an average 11.3 million viewers since the premiere episode, a strong number for the fall season and even more impressive for the summer. Airing on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET, the first season is scheduled to conclude on September 16, just before the fall TV season kicks off.

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Good. I like it.

Me too. But, I'd like a few more hints about the origin of the dome.

Me too. But, I'd like a few more hints about the origin of the dome.

Read the book.

It's an interesting show.

Its screening here in Australia and after watching the first episode I can say its the biggest load of <deleted> I have ever seen !

Most of them are, but it caught my attention.

hah, i have avoided it because i thought it was another american football based series. Downloading now.

Its screening here in Australia and after watching the first episode I can say its the biggest load of <deleted> I have ever seen !

The show must be more intelligent than I thought. I'll be sure to watch it from now on.

The pilot was terrible. As i had nothing better to do i watched the 2nd and 3rd part and it got better.

It is probably best if you did not read the book first.