'Into the Badlands' news: Martial arts drama renewed for supersized season 3 by AMC

Promotional image for "Into the Badlands" on AMC.Facebook/intothebadlandsAMC

It is official: "Into the Badlands" has been renewed for a third season.

AMC announced on Tuesday that the martial arts drama will return for a third installment. Season 3 will have a total of 16 episodes, up from six in the freshman season and 10 in the second season. The early pickup comes just a few weeks before the delayed sophomore season airs its finale in May.

In terms of ratings, "Into the Badlands" has been averaging 3.6 million viewers this season. It also has a 2.1 rating among adults 25–54 years old when three days of delayed viewing is factored in. The Al Gough and Miles Millar–created series currently ranks as the number 4 scripted drama on cable. Additionally, the series trails behind "The Walking Dead," "American Horror Story," and "Fear the Walking Dead" as the fourth-ranked returning series on the network.

"'Into the Badlands' looks like nothing else on television, a literal high-wire act attracting passionate and dedicated fans by the millions," said AMC president Charlie Collier in a press release. "Thanks to series creators and showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar, the terrific cast, led by Daniel Wu, the amazing martial arts team guided by the incomparable Master Dee Dee and fight directors Stephen Fung and Andy Cheng, and everyone else involved who brings this thrill ride to the fans."

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the series follows a warrior and a young boy who embark on a journey to seek enlightenment. The stellar cast includes Daniel Wu, Orla Brady, Sarah Bolger, Aramis Knight, Emily Beecham, Oliver Stark, Ally Ioannides, and more.

It remains to be seen whether AMC will run all 16 episodes of season 3 consecutively, or split the season similar to how "The Walking Dead" is being aired.

AMC has yet to announce an official premiere date for "Into the Badlands," but it is expected to be released sometime in 2018.