Viva Californication!  After dealing with the controversies regarding his sex addiction, his separation from his wife Téa Leoni and his alleged affair with tennis instructor Edit Pakay, David Duchovny has something to celebrate.  Showtime announced yesterday that its sophomore drama Californication has been picked up for a third season, with filming expected to start this spring.

Californication, which is up for 12 episodes for a late 2009 premiere, stars Duchovny, as Hank Moody, a troubled novelist plagued with personal demons, as he constantly deals with the fallout of his drug and sex addictions, while trying to show his ex-girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone) and daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin) that he can be a good, caring person.

"It wouldn't be Showtime without a yearly dose of Californication," Showtime president Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.  "This unapologetic show, about a group of characters led by the inimitable David Duchovny, has quickly established itself as one of our signature comedy series. Beneath its veneer of debauchery, however, is a complex take on love and adult relationships that surprisingly turns poetic and romantic just when you least expect it. "

Californication marks Duchovny's first major TV gig following his role as Fox Mulder on the science fiction series The X Files.  For his portrayal of Hank, he earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Comedy or Musical in 2007.

"I love working with Showtime, Tom Kapinos, and the cast," Duchovny said.  "We all have such creative freedom and support, its been a peak experience, and I am so happy to be doing the show."

Meanwhile, fans can catch the remaining episodes on Californication's second season.  So far, 10 have aired, leaving viewers with two fresh episodes before the season comes to a close.

Californication airs every Sunday at 10pm on Showtime.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Showtime
(Image courtesy of Showtime)