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FX has said in the past it has a three criteria for renewing a show: its quality, its critical acclaim and its ratings. If two of those three are positive, then a show is likely to be picked up



“Better Things” has the first two — it’s one of the most critically loved shows on TV and has won a Peabody Award. The third part of the equation lags — “Better Things” is among FX’s lower-rated shows — but FX has renewed the series for a third season.

“‘Better Things’ success is testament to the creative genius of Pamela Adlon as a writer, director and actor,” FX’s president of programming Eric Schrier says in a statement. “It has been a joy for everyone at FX to support Pamela and see the critics and industry recognize this series as one of the very best shows on TV. Pamela and the enormously talented cast, producers and crew have our deepest appreciation.”

Ratings for “Better Things” this season have been consistent with its first run last fall. It averages about 480,000 viewers and a 0.2 rating among adults 18-49 the night it airs and typically doubles its audience with a week of delayed viewing.

In addition to Adlon, who plays a single mom and working actress, the series stars Mikey Madison, Hannah Alligood and Olivia Edward as her daughters and Celia Imrie as her mother, who lives across the street.