BACK (FROM THE DEAD) BY POPULAR DEMAND!

SEASON FIVE OF LIFETIME'S CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED HIT "DROP DEAD DIVA" TO PREMIERE SUNDAY, JUNE 23

Star Brooke Elliott Returns and Newcomer Justin Deeley Joins Ensemble Cast for 13 New Episodes

Series Welcomes Back Emmy(R) Nominee John Ratzenberger and Jamie Ray Newman in Season Five

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 2, 2013) - Lifetime's fan favorite and critically-acclaimed series Drop Dead Diva, which follows a shallow wannabe model that suddenly dies in an accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-sized recently deceased attorney, is back by popular demand for a fifth season with 13 all-new episodes set to debut on Sunday, June 23, at 9pm ET/PT. Immediately following Drop Dead Diva's return, Lifetime will premiere its new drama Devious Maids.

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the one-hour, comedic drama stars Brooke Elliott (Wicked, Taboo), Margaret Cho (Dancing with the Stars, Cho Dependent), Jackson Hurst (Living Proof), Kate Levering (Cashmere Mafia), April Bowlby (Two and a Half Men) and Lex Medlin (Southland).

The series' fifth season opener, entitled "Back from the Dead," picks up from last season's cliff hanger finale with Jane (Elliott) frantically searching for her missing fiancé Owen (Medlin), who disappeared after witnessing her kiss Grayson (Hurst) moments before their wedding. While both Jane and Owen nurse their broken hearts, Jane's friends and co-workers also are confronted with their own life dilemmas. Kim (Levering) goes public with her pregnancy at the firm as Grayson continues to struggle with his feelings for Jane. Meanwhile, Stacy (Bowlby) is left contemplating the future of her business, The Pakery. Newcomer Justin Deely (90210) joins Drop Dead Diva as Jane's new heavenly guide Paul, stepping in for Luke (Carter McIntyre) when he is called back to Heaven just after telling her that Old Jane has returned to earth. Now that Jane and Old Jane are both on earth, the two kindred spirits will finally meet face-to-face, creating one of the most highly anticipated Drop Dead Diva moments ever.

Drop Dead Diva fans can visit https://www.facebook.com/dropdeaddiva to see Jane's hot new angel Paul.

Emmy(R) nominated actor John Ratzenberger returns to Drop Dead Diva this season to reprise his role as Kim's father, while Jamie Ray Newman is back as Grayson's ex-fiancée Vanessa, further complicating his heart. Other guest stars for season five will be announced in the coming weeks.

Drop Dead Diva: The Complete Fourth Season arrives on DVD Tuesday, June 18.

ABOUT DROP DEAD DIVA

In Drop Dead Diva, beautiful-but-vapid model wannabe Deb, suddenly finds herself in front of Heaven's gatekeeper, Fred, following a fatal car crash. Outraged by her sudden demise, she attempts to persuade Fred to return her to her shallow existence but is accidentally relegated to the body of the recently deceased Jane Bingum. An intelligent, thoughtful and plus-size attorney with a loyal assistant, Teri, Jane has always lived in the shadow of her colleagues whereas Deb has always relied on her external beauty. By a twist of fate and a bolt of divine intervention, Deb must come to terms with inhabiting Jane's curvier frame and learn to reconcile her beauty queen ways with her brilliant, new mind.

Josh Berman (Bones, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is creator and executive producer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award winning Chicago, Hairspray, Steel Magnolias) of Storyline Entertainment and Robert J. Wilson are executive producers.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in more than 142 countries reaching more than 500 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT LIFETIME

Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. In 2012, as a result of its aggressive triple threat programming strategy doubling its amount of original programming spanning scripted dramas, reality series and movies, Lifetime posted its strongest year-on-year growth among the key demographics in 10+ years, while also reaching its youngest median age in 16 years. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.