AceShowbiz -

Showtime is gearing up for the second season of its hit comedy series, "United States of Tara", it has been announced. There are 12 new episodes planned and shooting is slated to be begun this summer.

"This is a perfect fit for our premium brand and we're thrilled that critics and audiences have responded to this groundbreaking show so well," Robert Greenblatt, Showtime's entertainment chief, said in a statement when explaining on the reason that prompted the renewal of the series. "I look forward to many more alternate personalities emerging from this unique series."

"United States of Tara" is comedy-drama television series starring Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Collette as the leading actress. She plays the title character, Tara, a wife and mother of two children who suffers from disassociative identity disorder. Toni stars alongside actor John Corbett who plays her on-screen husband.

As of the plot, "United States of Tara" follows the story of how Toni and John's characters as well as their on-screen children cope with the various identities that may appear on any given day and range in age, temperament and even gender. The series' second season is set to be aired in early 2010.