Variety is reporting that the FX cable network has ordered a fourth season for the hardboiled cop drama, The Shield, which stars Michael Chiklis.  FX has ordered fifteen new episodes of the show, which wraps up its third season this June.  Although its ratings have dropped somewhat this year, it remains a strong performer among males from 18 to 49.  The Shield has enjoyed considerable critical success and has earned a Golden Globe for 'Best Drama Series.'

The renewal is good news for IDW, which publishes a comic book based on the gritty crime drama (see 'IDW to Publish The Shield').