CW Renews 'Hart of Dixie' and 'Beauty and the Beast,' Orders 'The Vampire Diaries' Spinoff 'The Originals

The CW Network announced early renewals for two of its shows, "Hart of Dixie" and "Beauty and the Beast," on Friday. The network also ordered a spinoff of "The Vampire Diaries" called "The Originals."

"Beauty and the Beast" follows detective Catherine Chandler (played by "Smallville" alumnus Kristin Kreuk), who witnessed her mother's death years ago the same night a "beast" saved her from the shooter. Nine years later, Catherine meets former soldier Vincent Keller (played by Jay Ryan) who turns out to be the titular beast.

The show struggled somewhat in the ratings and has averaged less than two million viewers in its first season.

"Hart of Dixie" stars Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart, whose dream of becoming a heart surgeon collapses. As a result, she takes a job at a small medical practice in the town of Bluebell in Alabama. The owner of the practice dies suddenly and leaves half of it to Hart in his will.

The comedy-drama averaged less than two million viewers in both its first and second seasons.

"The Originals" will follow a group of characters introduced in "The Vampire Diaries." The Original Family on the show is a line of vampires from whom all other vampires descend.

The CW had previously renewed "Arrow" for a second season, "The Vampire Diaries" for a fifth season and "Supernatural" for a ninth season.