Says Iungerich: "When I got word that 'Awkward' was picked up to series, my first reaction was to cry."

The showrunner of the critical darling has mutually parted ways with the network after completing work on season three of the series.

Awkward is losing its creator.

Showrunner Lauren Iungerich and MTV have mutually decided to part ways, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

"Awkward is a wonderful series and we appreciate the creativity and devotion Lauren brought to this show," MTV programming president Susanne Daniels said in a statement. "We wish her the best in her new ventures."

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Iungerich will finish production on the third season of Awkward, which wraps Thursday. The series will return for the second half of its 20-episode order in October. A search for a new showrunner for a potential fourth season of the comedy is underway.

Awkward has become one of MTV's signature scripted series. It currently ranks as the Viacom-owned network's longest-running scripted comedy. Its third season returned in April to 2.1 million total viewers, down slightly from its June 2012 premiere but even with its August 2012 finale. The return was up 5 percent among MTV's core 12-34 demo with a 2.3 rating -- the show's highest premiere in the metric.

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The news comes three months after MTV passed on Iungerich's Hot Mess pilot, which was redeveloped under new MTV topper Daniels. Iungerich exited the project a week before MTV passed. Hot Mess was Iungerich's third project at MTV. Her previous entry, Dumb Girls, was also passed over under Daniels' predecessor, David Janollari, who helped champion Awkward.

MTV renewed Awkward for a supersized third season of 20 episodes in July 2012, up from its previous 12-episode seasons. The network used Awkward to launch Girl Code this season, with the latter earning a quick second-season renewal.

Daniels took over at MTV in November. She oversees all development and programming for the network, including scripted and reality, news and documentaries, as well as production and talent.

E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com

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