ALL-STAR CAST JOINS DEBRA MESSING IN USA NETWORK'S EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES THE STARTER WIFE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK July 1, 2008 All-star casting is completed for the Emmy Award-winning USA Network original series, THE STARTER WIFE, starring Debra Messing. The series will premiere in October and will focus on the post-divorce adventures of the lead character, Molly Kagan (Messing) as she begins a new chapter in her life. On the heels of its stellar ratings and Emmy success, USA is bringing back the hit miniseries of 2007 as a 10-episode series, with Emmy Award-winner Messing returning to star and now serving as executive producer. The announcement was made by Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president, original programming.

Joining the regular cast of THE STARTER WIFE are David Alan Bashe ("Lipstick Jungle") as Molly's ex-husband, Kenny Kagen; Danielle Nicolet ("Heartland") as Liz Marsh, Molly's new friend and the wife of an LA pro-baseball player; Brielle Barbusca ("Hope & Faith") as Jaden, Molly and Kenny's daughter and Hart Bochner (Die Hard") as Zach, Molly's new love interest and teacher of her writing class. Guest stars include Reggie Austin ("Notes from the Underbelly"), as Liz's husband, Devon Marsh; Ronny Cox ("The Agency") as Joan's husband, Pappy McAllister; Daniel Gerroll ("Cashmere Mafia") as David Shea, a controversial movie star who Joan meets in rehab; James Black ("All of Us") as Felix, a successful action star with a secret; Krista Allen ("Unscripted") as Eve, Molly's nemesis at her daughter's school; and Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") as Robin, a troubled girl that Joan befriends in rehab. Returning this season in a special guest appearance is Joe Mantegna ("Criminal Minds") as Lou Manahan, former studio head and former boyfriend of Molly.

Previously announced cast members reprising their roles are three-time Emmy Award-winner Judy Davis ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadow") as Joan McAllister and Chris Diamantopoulos ("Behind the Camera: Mork & Mindy") as Rodney Molly's two best friends. Also returning this season in a special guest appearance is Joe Mantegna ("Criminal Minds") as Lou Manahan, former studio head and former boyfriend of Molly. Most recently, Davis won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role as Joan in 2007. This is the first time both Davis and Diamantopoulos have been cast as regulars in a series.

The Emmy, WGA and PGA-nominated writing team of Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott ("Runaway Bride") return as executive producers and Gigi Levangie Grazer, who penned the New York Times bestselling novel on which the miniseries was based, also returns as executive producer. The project is produced by NBC Universal Cable Studios in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment. Stephanie Davis ("The Caveman's Valentine"), Howard Klein ("The Office," "Carnivale") and Molly Madden ("Picture Perfect") also serve as executive producers for 3 Arts.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.