When talking about hit television shows over the last year, it's almost a shock to hear its not coming from Netflix. Instead, Under the Dome was just given the green light for a second season.

The series based on Stephen King's popular novel has been renewed for 13 more episodes, expected to premiere in 2014. The bestselling author will actually write the first episode of Season 2.

"We're excited to tell more stories about the mystery of the dome and the secrets in Chester's Mill, and are thrilled to have the master storyteller himself, Stephen King, tell the first one of next season," explained CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler.

Under the Dome centers around a small American town that is blocked from the outside world by an inexplicable and invisible barrier. The "dome" pushes the town's citizens into a post-apocalyptic nightmare.

Over 13 million viewers caught the June premiere, and averages around 11 million viewers every episode. Each week the show is either the number one or number two program on television.

Why the show is successful? King likes to think stories that stories that make people question how they would react in extreme situations offer good insight into the human condition.

"I love stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, to see how some people will rise to that situation and some people will crumble from it," according to King, who is also executive producer of the show alongside Steven Spielberg.

"So the situation draws you in, and the characters keep you coming back. And if we're very, very lucky, people will also start to discuss, 'Well, what is this dome? What does it mean? What's the purpose of it?'"

Under the Dome airs Mondays at 10 PM ET on CBS.