“Hardcore Pawn” to get a Chicago-set spinoff series

truTV announced yesterday that it would be expanding its hit Hardcore Pawn franchise with an all-new series set in Chicago, as the network has greenlit Hardcore Pawn: Chicago. The nine-episode, half-hour series is set to premiere later this year.

Hardcore Pawn: Chicago will go behind the scenes at what the truTV release calls “the baddest pawn shop in Chicago.” One of the city’s largest and oldest establishments in the pawn and gold-buying business, Royal Pawn Shop is owned by Randy and Wayne Cohen, two brothers who don’t always see eye to eye, except when it comes to finding the best deals for the business. These over-the-top siblings will wheel and deal with just about anyone, from a sweet kindergarten teacher to an intimidating mob boss.

“If you’ve ever spent any time in a pawnshop, you’ve probably seen some of the outrageous characters who come through the doors … or work behind the counter,” said Marc Juris, executive vice president and COO of truTV. “Hardcore Pawn: Chicago takes things to a whole new level, thanks to Randy and Wayne’s over-the-top personalities and the wild antics of some of their customers.”

The spinoff becomes the second entry in the Hardcore Pawn franchise. The original Hardcore Pawn, which is set at American Jewelry & Loan in Detroit, continues to be truTV’s most popular series. Now in its sixth season, with new episodes each Tuesday at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), Hardcore Pawn is averaging 2.5 million viewers this summer. The show ranks among basic cable’s Top 5 programs in its timeslot with key adult and male demos.