Lifetime Orders Production of 'State of Mind,' A New One-Hour Drama Series Starring Lili Taylor
From Shephard/Robin Productions and Warner Horizon Television to Premiere
this Summer on Lifetime Television
Series Executive Produced by Greer Shephard and Michael Robin, ('The
Closer,' 'Nip/Tuck')
PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 -- Lifetime Television has
ordered production of "State of Mind," a quirky and comedic new drama
series starring Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under") as a brilliant, take-charge
therapist whose personal problems rival those of her eclectic and offbeat
patients, it was announced today by Susanne Daniels, President,
Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services. "State of Mind" joins the
previously announced "Army Wives" as the second new drama to be ordered for
2007.
Filmed in Los Angeles, the ensemble cast is led by Taylor and also
includes Derek Riddell ("No Angels"), Mido Hamada ("The Path to 9/11"),
Kevin Chamberlin (Two-time Tony(R) Award winner, Broadway's "Dirty Blond,"
"Seussical"), Lolita Davidovich ("The L Word"), and Devon Gummersall
("Relativity," "My So-Called Life"). Greer Shephard and Michael Robin,
executive producers of "Nip/Tuck" and "The Closer," serve as executive
producers of "State of Mind." The pilot, also directed by Michael Robin,
was written by best-selling author and practicing psychotherapist Amy
Bloom. The series is produced by Shephard/Robin Productions in association
with Warner Horizon Television for Lifetime Television.
"We're thrilled to have brought the talents of Lili Taylor to Lifetime
in a new drama series produced by cable hit makers Greer Shephard and Mike
Robin. Lili's character is imminently relatable and we know our viewers
will instantly connect with her," said Daniels in making the announcement.
"Lifetime has boldly provided us with a wonderful creative opportunity
to show therapists' lives from a real therapist's point-of-view," said
Executive Producer Greer Shephard. Adding, "It is this type of innovative
programming that makes the cable playground a terrific place to play."
In "State of Mind," Dr. Ann Bellows (Taylor) finds her life at a
crossroads after she catches her husband, Phil, a fellow psychiatrist,
having sex with their own couple's counselor. As her personal life is
suddenly crumbling, Ann begins to feel she might be as much in need of
psychiatric help as her patients.
As Ann attempts to continue on with both her personal and professional
lives, she is comforted by her colleagues at New Haven Psychiatrist
Associates, a rambling Victorian house-turned-office which accommodates
multiple therapists.
They include: Dr. James Le Croix (Riddell), an eccentric child
psychiatrist whose unconventional treatment methods are often times
considered radical by others; Dr. Cordelia Banks (Davidovich), a
resourceful Southern belle who sees her clients between internet shopping
sprees and a secret office romance she shares with the married and highly
regarded analyst Dr. Taj Kalid (Hamada); and sarcastic and socially awkward
office manager, Fred Smedresman (Chamberlin), whose job is to keep the
office running at an efficient pace while being a recreational shrink and a
first class snoop.
In need of a new tenant to replace her husband's office space after he
unceremoniously skips out on her life and the practice, Ann meets
transplanted Minnesotan Barry White (Gummersall), a sweet, sheepish young
man who is a newly minted lawyer in need of an office and agrees to fill
the vacancy. He soon tries to adjust to life being among four therapists,
which includes constant ribbing about his famous namesake.
Warner Horizon Television was founded to produce lower-budget scripted
and reality primetime series for network and cable marketplaces. This
additional production entity allows the Warner Bros. Television Group to
expand its programming offering and explore creative options made possible
under a new business model.
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated
basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime
is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information
programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and
their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime
Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com) are part of
Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst
Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
SOURCE Lifetime Television
http://www.lifetimetv.com
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