'Longmire' gets new season on Netflix

Once again, Netflix is the fairy godmother to canceled shows: "Longmire," formerly of A&E, has officially been renewed for a fourth season and has a new home.

Netflix ordered 10 episodes of the Western drama, which was scrapped by the cable network this summer after three years.

The show's initial cancellation by A&E was a surprise to many, given that it was the most-watched scripted drama on the channel, pulling in around 5.6 million viewers a week. However, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out in a detailed story about its demise, it mostly boiled down to one fact: "Longmire" viewers were too old, with an average age of about 60 -- well outside the age A&E covets for advertisers.

That was not a problem for Netflix, however. "When Warner Horizon Television came to us with the idea for a new season of 'Longmire,' we were intrigued because the series is so unique and consistently great," said Cindy Holland, Netflix's vice president of original content in the announcement. "We are thrilled to help continue Walt Longmire's story for his large and passionate following."

Based on the Walt Longmiremystery novels by Craig Johnson, the series stars Australian actor Robert Taylor as the title character, a charismatic, dedicated and unflappable charismatic Wyoming small-town sheriff. The cast also includes Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips and Bailey Chase.

No word on a premiere date, but Netflix confirms that the fourth season picks up right after last season's finale.