Fox has renewed “The Orville” for a second season. The science fiction drama, created by and starring Seth MacFarlane, is the first freshman series of the season to land a renewal at Fox.

“Once again Seth has struck a powerful chord with viewers,” said Michael Thorn, president of entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “He has delivered a series full of optimism, drama and his trademark humor. We want to thank him and the rest of the talented cast, as well as the producers and crew, for an incredible first season. We can’t wait to see where The Orville travels in the second.”

Airing at 9 p.m. Thursdays on Fox, “The Orville” has performed respectively in one of broadcast television’s toughest timeslots, where it regular faces off against “Thursday Night Football” and ABC’s “Scandal.” The series has averaged a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demo, according to Nielsen live-plus-seven ratings, making it the third highest rated new drama in the key demo this season.

Produced by 20th Century Fox Television, “The Orville” is executive produced by MacFarlane, Brannon Braga (“Terra Nova”), David A. Goodman (“Family Guy”), Jason Clark (“Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” “Ted”) and Liz Heldens (“Mercy,” “Deception”). The pilot was directed by Jon Favreau.