EMMY WINNER DEBRA MESSING RETURNS IN THE EMMY AWARD-WINNING HIT SERIES 'THE STARTER WIFE' PREMIERING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT 10/9C ON USA NETWORK

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. � July 20, 2008 � The Emmy Award-winning hit original series, THE STARTER WIFE, starring Debra Messing will premiere on Friday, October 10 at 10/9c on USA Network. The series focuses 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 with ten exciting episodes, with Emmy Award-winner Messing returning to star and now serving as executive producer. The announcement was made by Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, USA original programming & co-head, original programming, Universal Cable Productions. This season, the series is being filmed entirely in Los Angeles.

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 as a special guest star is Joe Mantegna ("Criminal Minds") as Lou Manahan, former studio head and former boyfriend of Molly. 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.

Joining the regular cast of THE STARTER WIFE are David Alan Basche ("Lipstick Jungle") Kenny Kagan, Molly's ex-husband; 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 writing class professor. Guest stars include Reggie Austin ("Notes from the Underbelly"), as Devon Marsh, Liz's husband; Ronny Cox ("The Agency") as Pappy, Joan's husband; 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.

The Emmy, WGA and PGA-nominated writing team of Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott ("Runaway Bride") return as executive producers along with Gigi Levangie Grazer, who penned the New York Times bestselling novel on which the miniseries was based. The project is produced by Universal Cable Productions 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.