'Prison Break' wins full season order

FOX has rewarded Prison Break with a full season order, Variety said today.

The freshman drama, which charts an elaborate escape from a high-security prison, was originally slated for thirteen episodes but has now been confirmed for a full twenty-two.

Since its debut at the end of August, the show has averaged a respectable 9 million viewers and has increased the audience in the crucial 18-34 demo by some 22% on 2004.

"Going in, this was something everyone knew wasn't going to be an easy thing to pull off," admitted Fox Entertainment president Peter Liguori, who has also greenlit a further nine episodes of American Dad.

It is unclear whether the show will continue in its Monday, 9pm slot - 24 is due to take over in January - or whether the final nine will be kept back until later in the season.