Defiance Renewed for Season 2 by Syfy

Series stars Grant Bowler and Julie Benz drama's debut was the network's second largest 18-49 demo rating in its history

Syfy is booking a longer stay in Defiance.

The sci-fi drama, which is the first TV series to ever launch simultaneously with a video game, was renewed for a second season, Syfy officially announced on Friday.

Production on season two, which will be 13 episodes, is set to begin in Toronto in August, with Syfy looking at a 2014 premiere.

The Grant Bowler and Julie Benz-led action drama debuted on April 15 to the second largest 18-49 demo audience rating in Syfy's history.

"Bringing the rich world of Defiance to life has been an incredible team effort.  We couldn't ask for better partners than Kevin Murphy, his amazing cast and crew, and Trion Worlds," Mark Stern, President of Original Content for Syfy and Co-Head of Original Content for UCP, said in statement. "We can't wait to see where they take us in the second season." 

Slated to return for season two are showrunner Kevin Murphy and executive producers Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.

(E! and Syfy are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)