Encouraging news for freshman NBC dramas Mysteries of Laura and Constantine. The network has ordered three extra scripts of each show. The script pickup forLaura comes after three episodes, for Constantine, it is being done ahead of the comic book drama’s debut later this month. Both series hail from Warner Bros. TV.

Picking up backup scripts has become a favorite tactic of the broadcast network as it is a relatively inexpensive way to buy a few extra weeks by keeping writers working on shows that executives feel have promise before the nets have to decide on a back episodic order.

The Mysteries of Laura has showed excellent week-to-week retention. In its second episode in its regular Wednesday 8 PM slot, the cop dramedy starring Debra Messing drew a 1.5 in Live+Same Day, matching its rating in Week 1 and also matching the delivery of NBC’s 10 PM drama on the night, Chicago P.D. Meanwhile, Constantine, based on the DC comic, has been tracking very well, with one of the highest awareness levels for a new series this season. The series joins NBC’s Friday genre block on Oct. 24. [Source]