The CW has decided to jump the gun with a couple of its most highly anticipated dramas. This week, the network announced it has ordered additional scripts for the upcoming shows The Flash and Jane the Virgin. While a lot of first season shows are picked up for a short episode count, eventually receiving the back nine order, these script pick-ups seem to show The CW feels confident about the programs before they have even aired.
It’s no surprise The CW feels that way about The Flash. The show has received an incredible amount of buzz, no doubt due to the success of the Arrow franchise on The CW, as well as the fact that the Flash himself was introduced on Arrow last season. People are already excited about the character, and while the network only announced it had picked up 13 episodes initially, now the crew will be able to continue moving forward with writing the series up to episode 16. Additionally, The Flash is set to hit the schedule next week. If it does well, we could see the show land a full 22 episode order sooner rather than later, similar to how The CW handled the successful Vampire Diaries spinoff, The Originals, last year.
Jane The Virgin has also gotten an additional three scripts. That additional script pick-up is a little bit wackier. Not only does Jane the Virgin not premiere until mid-October, the show actually has a wild premise, starring Gina Rodriguez as a woman who is accidentally artificially inseminated. That show has gotten some buzz, likely for the aforementioned premise. Additionally, Deadline seems to think that Rodriguez is poised to be a breakout star this fall. That would be another reason The CW might have already ordered extra scripts.
Whatever the reason, ordering extra scripts is not the same thing as already signing on for a second season. Both shows have a long haul to get through before The CW gives a thumbs up or a thumbs down for Season 2. Still, extra episodes means both shows are that much closer to a full season order and a full season order could totally lead into a return next fall if both shows play their cards right.
As we wait for both shows, don’t forget to take a look at The Flash spoiler scene the network released recently. You can catch The Flash premiere on Tuesday, October 7 at 8 p.m. ET. Jane The Virgin will hit the schedule a week later on Monday, October 13 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Our full fall release schedule is available, here.
