Showtime Dreams of More "Dexter," Another Puff of "Weed(s)"

The serial (killer) drama is here to stay after all.

Showtime has renewed drama Dexter for a second season. Series revolves around Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a Miami PD forensics expert whose nighttime vocation is as a serial killer... of other serial killers. Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz, Lauren Velez, Erik King, David Zayas, and James Remar also star.

The pay cabler has ordered 12 episodes of the drama, which is scheduled to begin production in the spring, and plans to premiere Season Two in Summer 2007. To date, Dexter has aired five episodes on Showtime and is the net's highest rated series. (The freshman season finale is scheduled for December 17th.)

Meanwhile, Showtime is also close to signing a deal to bring pot-fueled dramedy Weeds back for a third season of suburban scandal and munchies-related mischief. An announcement on the Mary Louise Parker-led series, produced by Lionsgate TV, is said to be "imminent," according to Variety.