Indie producer Prairie Dog Film + Television is developing a second season of the APTN and Showcase drama Blackstone, which has also been sold to New Zealand.

“The first season of Blackstone has been very well received by our audiences since its January premiere and has consistently shown to be one of our most watched shows each week,” APTN CEO Jean LaRose said in a statement.

“The first season of the series wraps up next week, and although it is our hope to offer a second exciting season, our current schedule will continue to offer the same kind of cutting-edge programming our viewers have come to expect from us,” he added.

Blackstone creator and director Ron E. Scott confirmed to Playback Daily that a second season was in development.

“Needless to say, the show has performed extremely well on both broadcasters,” he said of Blackstone. Its nine-episode arc is ending with a rookie season finale next week.

The Canadian drama has also been sold to Maori Television in New Zealand, and Scott is shopping the series in the U.S. market.

Blackstone, written by Gil Cardinal and Scott, features a slew of flawed heroes and likeable villains typical of dramas such as Entourage, The Wire and The Sopranos.

Dramatic tension in the made-in-Edmonton series stems from a new generation of First Nations leaders, led by band-member Leona Storey (Carmen Moore), looking to end the corruption and mismanagement of former band politicians.

Standing in the way of band renewal is a corrupt former chief, played by Eric Schweig; community members battling alcohol and drug dependencies, and life in the big city as a constant temptation.

Once the production green light is received, the second season of Blackstone is expected to shoot this summer.