LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- As expected, the WB has given a series order of 13 episodes (including the pilot) to its drama "The Mountain." The series joins previous pick-up "Jack & Bobby" as the initial members of the Frog's fall 2004 freshman class.

The news was announced via press release this morning:

THE WB PICKS UP "THE MOUNTAIN" FOR THE 2004-2005 SEASON

The WB Network has announced its second early pick-up for the fall season, ordering 13 episodes of THE MOUNTAIN, it was announced today by Jordan Levin, Co-CEO of The WB.

THE MOUNTAIN, from executive producers McG ("The O.C." and the "Charlie's Angels" blockbusters), Stephanie Savage ("The O.C."), Shaun Cassidy ("American Gothic") and director David Barrett ("Fast Lane"), features a strong ensemble cast headed by Oliver Hudson ("Dawson's Creek") and Barbara Hershey ("Hannah and Her Sisters"). The story follows a free spirit (Hudson) who, when a twist of fate puts him in charge of his family's idyllic mountain resort, suddenly finds himself fighting to protect the business from family in-fighting and a rival developer out to take it all away.

"By picking up our second drama series prior to our official upfront presentation, we hope to convey the confidence we feel in the ability of both THE MOUNTAIN and JACK AND BOBBY, two outstanding pilots, to reinvigorate The WB's drama portfolio," Mr. Levin said. "THE MOUNTAIN is an extremely accessible series whose talented auspices have reinterpreted the family dynasty serial for a young-adult audience against the backdrop of the extreme-sports lifestyle."

Boundary Mountain is an escapist playground for wealthy tourists and extreme sports enthusiasts, but to the Carver family, it's home. THE MOUNTAIN chronicles the larger-than-life saga of the Carvers, whose colorful patriarch, David Carver, Sr. (guest star Chad Everett, "Mulholland Drive," "Medical Center") founded the town and its internationally famous ski resort after winning the land in a poker game. When this legendary man unexpectedly dies, his choice of an heir sends shockwaves throughout the community. Free-spirited David Carver, Jr. (Hudson) left home years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a world-class motocross racer, while his older brother Will (Anson Mount, "Poolhall Junkies") diligently attended business school with every expectation of taking over the family empire. No one, least of all the brothers themselves, expected David to inherit the Mountain. Now, David finds himself saddled with a responsibility he never wanted and a brother who rightly feels betrayed. On top of this, he is torn between two women and suddenly immersed in a power struggle with a neighboring family. David just wants to run, until he realizes his grandfather may have had bigger things in mind. Through the episodes to come, David will begin to reconnect with his mother Gennie (Hershey) and teenage sister Shelley (newcomer Tara Thompson), and he will uncover long-buried secrets about his co-workers, his town and even his own family mythology. Also starring Alana De La Garza ("All My Children"), Johann Urb ("Zoolander"), Elizabeth Bogush ("Titans") and newcomer Tommy Dewey, with guest-stars Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files") and Penn Badgley ("Do Over").

THE MOUNTAIN is a Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Executive producers are McG, Stephanie Savage and Shaun Cassidy. David Barrett ("Fast Lane") directed.