Cast share their joy on Twitter

Brooklyn Nine-Nine has come back from the dead.

America’s NBC network has picked up Andy Samberg's police comedy for a sixth series, a day after rivals Fox unexpectedly cancelled it.

The broadcaster has ordered 13 more episodes after fans expressed their dismay that the show was coming to an end.

On-demand services  Hulu and Netflix both passed on a potential sixth season, but NBC answered the emergency call.

Before Fox aired the show in 2013, it was originally pitched to producers NBCUniversal, but they turned down the idea.

Today NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said: ‘Ever since we sold this show to Fox I’ve regretted letting it get away, and it’s high time it came back to its rightful home.

‘[Creators] Mike Schur, Dan Goor and Andy Samberg grew up on NBC and we’re all thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest and best-cast comedies in a long time will take its place in our comedy lineup. I speak for everyone at NBC, here’s to the Nine-Nine!’

Goor wrote on Twitter: ‘Hey everyone, just wanted to say no big deal but .... NBC JUST PICKED #BROOKLYN99 UP FOR SEASON 6!!! Thanks in no small part to you, the best fans in the history of the world! Nine-nine!!!!!!!!!’

His joy was shared by the show’s cast.

Melissa Fumero, who plays Sergeant Amy Santiago, said: ‘#Brooklyn99 IS COMING BACK FOR SEASON 6 YOU GUYS ON NBC!!!!! You did this!! You got loud and you were heard and you saved our show!! Thank you!! Thank you to NBC!! NINE NINE!!!!!’

She later posted: ‘Whoa what a day! Ok, somehow going to try to sleep. All my love and gratitude again Nine Niners. More celebrating tomorrow and a new #Brooklyn99 episode on Sunday. Sweet dreams.’

Terry Crews, who plays Detective Sergeant Terry Jeffords, tweeted: ‘WE ARE BACK! @NBC PICKED US UP FOR A 6TH SEASON!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 THANK YOU INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!! NINE NINE"’

 And the official account of Samberg’s comedy band The Lonely Island added: ‘Thank you to everyone for the crazy outpouring of support. It means the world to us. It wouldn’t have happened without you.’

Schur will now have three comedies on NBC, with The Good Place and newly ordered Abby’s also on the network.

• Meanwhile, Fox has picked up Tim Allen's sitcom Last Man Standing after it had been dropped by ABC. Allen had complained that the show had been axed because of his right-leaning politics.

Published: 12 May 2018