Enrico Colantoni stars as Sgt. Gregory Parker in the Canadian cop series Flashpoint, which has been renewed for a second season by CBS. (CTV/Canadian Press)

U.S. network CBS has renewed Toronto-set police drama Flashpoint for a second season, following the show's renewal by its Canadian broadcaster last month.

Flashpoint, a co-production that airs on CTV in Canada, stars Canadian actors Enrico Colantoni and Hugh Dillon as officers in an elite tactical unit of the Toronto police force.

Though CBS originally launched it in the typically slow Friday evening slot this summer, executives eventually moved Flashpoint to the higher-profile Thursday night spot — where the much-touted '70s suburban drama Swingtown was doing poorly.

The fast-paced, character-driven police drama — which was created and written by Canadian actors Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern — held its ground with audiences during the Olympics and steadily gained numbers afterward.

"Flashpoint shows that the summer can be a great place to launch shows and experiment with different forms of programming — including international co-productions," said CBS scheduling chief Kelly Kahl, according to industry newspaper Hollywood Reporter.

"It's great to go into next year with another proven performer on the bench ready to go."

CTV renewed the show in late August, saying production is slated to begin on a second 13-episode season in early 2009.