FX has ordered a fourth series of Louis C.K.'s "Louie," and "Anger Management" appears likely to receive an order for another 90 episodes, FX said Saturday. If "Anger Management" is extended, Martin Sheen will join the cast playing Martin Goodson, the father of Charlie Sheen's Charlie Goodson.
The network has also ordered the new drama "The Bridge," based on a Danish series of the same name, and ordered seven more episodes of Russell Brand's "Brand X," though the comedian's talk show is undergoing a retooling.
FX president John Landgraf made the announcements at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. He predicted a "many-year future" for the comedy "Wilfred" and said he expected to announce a third season of the show once deals are in place with those involved.
He also said he expects at least a six-year run for "Justfied," which has aired three seasons so far. A fourth was announced in March.
And Landgraf said "Sons of Anarchy" would return Sept. 11, and that "The League" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" would be back in October.
Under the unusual agreement for "Anger Management," the show will be renewed for 90 episodes if it's first ten airings -- except for the first two episodes -- hit certain ratings thresholds. (The first two episodes aren't included because those airings were expected draw so many viewers who would turn in out of curiousity, then drop off. That's exactly what happened.)
Landgraf said the third through sixth episodes of the show exceeded ratings thresholds for the 90-episode deal to go through. He said it was overwhelmingly likely that would happen, and that Martin Sheen would then join the cast.
The network also aired footage of the upcoming ninth episode of the show, in which Martin Sheen guests and impersonates Marlon Brando in their film "Apocalypse Now."
"What the entry of Martin Sheen's character will do is it will add an extra dimension to the show and will make it a multigenerational family show," Landgraf said. "The show will still deal with Charlie's relationship with his patients and will still deal with the women in his life."
He also noted that some critics said "Anger Management" measured up poorly compared to FX comedies like "Louie" and "Archer." But he said it should be compared instead to other multi-camera comedies like Sheen's old show, "Two and a Half Men."
"I am happy creatively with the show," Landgraf said. "As with any comedy I think it's got more growth in it. I think it's still developing."