Showtime has renewed Nurse Jackiefor a fifth season and has tapped Clyde Phillips as the series' new showrunner, the network announced Thursday.

Phillips was previously the executive producer and showrunner of Showtime's Dexter. He'll join current executive producer Richie Jackson and series producer Caryn Mandabach.

Nurse Jackie co-creators/showrunners departing

"Clyde brings a unique combination of skills in both comedy and drama, and he is a master at making entertaining and compelling television," David Nevins, Showtime's president of entertainment, said in a statement. "We are so thrilled with the series' performance this year, and we know that with the incomparable Edie Falco in front of the camera, the fifth season of Nurse Jackie will be even better."

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The comedy's co-creators Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius announced they would be stepping down as showrunners in April to spend more time at home.

Nurse Jackie's Season 4 premiere netted 1.1 million viewers, up 30 percent from the previous season's premiere.

Production on the fifth season of the series will begin in late 2012.