Deadwood rides again

The hard-edged Western series Deadwood will be back for a third season.

The critically acclaimed series' renewal was announced by HBO yesterday just weeks after it began its second season on the cable channel.

Deadwood, marked by gritty realism and profanity, received 11 Emmy nominations last year although it claimed only two awards, for directing and sound editing.

Ian McShane, who plays saloon owner and powerbroker Al Swearengen, won a Golden Globe in January for best performance in a drama series.