'Starter Wife' Restarts on USA in October

By Daniel Fienberg, Zap2It.com | July 20, 2008

Debra Messing, 'The Starter Wife'

Debra Messing, Judy Davis and Joe Mantegna all return

USA has set an October premiere date for the return of the Emmy-winning original "The Starter Wife."

The 10-episode run of "The Starter Wife" will launch on Friday, Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

It's unclear if this is counted as the second season for "Starter Wife," or a first season spun off of USA's hit 2007 miniseries.

Based on the bestselling novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer, "The Starter Wife" is executive produced by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott and focuses on the post-divorce life of Molly Kagan, played again by Debra Messing.

Messing was nominated for an Emmy for the first miniseries, one of 10 nods "The Starter Wife" received. The "Will & Grace" star will also be an executive producer on the series.

Judy Davis won an Emmy for her performance as Joan McAllister and will be a regular on the series along with Chris Diamantopoulos. This will be a first time as series regulars for both actors.

Other regular members of the "Starter Wife" cast will include David Alan Basche, Brielle Barbusca and Hart Bochner.

"The Starter Wife" has already set a slew of guest stars, including Reggie Austin, Ronny Cox, Daniel Gerroll, James Black, Krista Allen and Alia Shawkat.

In addition, Joe Mantegna, an Emmy nominee as studio boss Lou Manahan in the original, will be back as a special guest star.

"The Starter Wife" is being filmed entirely in Los Angeles.