Fox renews 'Rescue Me' for fifth season

NEW YORK, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Denis Leary's acclaimed New York firefighter drama "Rescue Me" will be back for a fifth season on FX, Zap2it.com reported.

Leary co-created and stars in the TV series about a dysfunctional group of New York firefighters and their equally quirky spouses and families.

The FX cable network has ordered 22 episodes of the show for the upcoming season, which it will air in two blocks of installments.

Production is to begin in the spring, Zap2it.com said.

"'Rescue Me' has always been the product of the unique vision and talents of Denis Leary (and executive producers) Peter Tolan and Jim Serpico, along with one of the best acting ensembles on television," FX chief John Landgraf said. "The show has been a great source of pride to FX and remains one of the cornerstones of our respected brand of original series."