The Border looks to have inherited some fans from Battlestar Galactica as numbers for its first episode featuring Grace Park saw a notable increase from its season-to-date average.

The CBC series scored 765,000 viewers on Monday at 9 p.m., up from its season-to-date average of 639,000 viewers. (All numbers 2+.) Park, who plays a Homeland Security agent, has a loyal following from her longtime stint on the hit sci-fi series Battlestar.

Her first appearance on episode seven of The Border was plugged heavily by CBC, which took out color advertisements in major dailies including The Globe and Mail.

Park’s debut follows word that The Border has been renewed for a third season — midway through its second season airing. CBC execs Fred Fuchs and Kirstine Layfield broke the news at a Border wrap party last week.

‘It’s quite unprecedented to get such an early pickup… usually they wait until the entire season has been broadcast and assess where they stand,’ says executive producer Peter Raymont of Toronto’s White Pine Pictures. ‘It’s a big vote of confidence from the broadcaster.’

‘We’re pleased the program really seems to be developing and holding a significant audience, and we look forward for that to continue,’ commented CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay.

Production will begin in May, and talks are already underway to sign Park for the third season. She is repped by Tyman Stewart of Vancouver-based The Characters Talent Agency.

Raymont says as far as storylines go, they’re planning to incorporate the current political climate south of the border in the new season.

‘We’re in a new age, the Obama age, so things are changing in the U.S., and I’m sure things will change in the relationship with Canada and the U.S.,’ he says.