MUMBAI: American broadcaster USA Network has ordered 13 one-hour episodes of the Emmy-nominated and critically-acclaimed hit series The 4400. In India the first season aired on AXN under the Platinum Showcase block.

The show will return to USA Network in summer 2006 with production scheduled to begin in Vancouver early next year.

The 4400 explores the travails of the 4400 people who all at once returned in a ball of light to Earth; though the returnees had not aged physically, many of them reappeared with dramatic abilities ranging from enhanced reflexes to precognition. National Threat Assessment Command (NTAC) is the government agency responsible for keeping track of the returnees and investigating all things related to the 4400.

USA's executive VP original programming Jeff Wachtel said, "Even in this increasingly competitive climate, renewing The 4400 was an easy call. Its compelling characters fit perfectly within the USA brand. And the creative team's ability to balance story, character and 'big themes' really makes this show unique."