SARAH JESSICA PARKER RETURNS TO HBO IN THE NEW COMEDY SERIES "DIVORCE," DEBUTING OCT. 9

Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, Talia Balsam, Tracy Letts, Sterling Jerins And Charlie Kilgore Also Star

Created by Sharon Horgan; Paul Simms, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Horgan, Alison Benson And Aaron Kaplan Executive Produce

After more than a decade of marriage and two children, Frances has suddenly begun to reassess her life and her strained relationship with her husband. But she soon discovers that making a clean break and a fresh start is harder than she thought.

Serving as an executive producer, Sarah Jessica Parker (Emmy(R) and Golden Globe winner for HBO's "Sex and the City") stars as Frances in the comedy series DIVORCE, which begins its ten-episode season SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Thomas Haden Church (Oscar(R) nominee for "Sideways") stars as Robert, Frances' husband, who is struggling to cope with their marriage falling apart.

Set in Westchester County, NY, DIVORCE is created by Sharon Horgan ("Catastrophe"), with Paul Simms (HBO's "Girls") serving as a showrunner on the series. Paul Simms, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Horgan, Alison Benson and Aaron Kaplan executive produce.

DIVORCE also stars Molly Shannon (Emmy(R) nominee for HBO's "Enlightened" and "Saturday Night Live") as Diane, Frances' high-strung friend, who has a successful husband, a beautiful house and no children; Talia Balsam ("Mad Men") as Dallas, Frances' close friend, who has been both widowed and divorced; Tracy Letts ("Homeland") as Nick, Diane's husband; Sterling Jerins ("World War Z") as Lila, Frances' and Robert's daughter; and Charlie Kilgore ("Moonrise Kingdom") as Tom, their son.

The story of a very, very long divorce, the show follows Frances and Robert as they grapple with the fallout from their failing marriage, not just for themselves, but also for their children and friends, ranging from awkward public encounters to difficult private therapy sessions.

October's episodes:

Episode #1: "Pilot"

Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Oct. 9 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 10 (12:30 a.m.), 11 (12:30 a.m.), 12 (12:30 a.m.), 13 (10:05 p.m.) and 15 (1:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Oct. 10 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (11:35 p.m.), 13 (8:00 p.m.) and 30 (4:30 p.m.)

Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Robert (Thomas Haden Church) - a middle-aged couple in the suburbs of New York City - try to figure out if their marriage is worth saving after a shocking event at their friend Diane's (Molly Shannon) 50th birthday party makes them take a hard look at their own lives.

Written by Sharon Horgan; directed by Jesse Peretz.

Episode #2: "Next Day"

Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 16 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Oct. 16 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 18 (12:15 a.m.), 19 (midnight), 20 (10:05 p.m.), 21 (9:30 p.m.) and 22 (4:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Oct. 17 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (1:45 a.m.), 20 (8:00 p.m.) and 30 (5:00 p.m.)

Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker) rushes to intercept Robert (Thomas Haden Church) before he tells the kids that she's divorcing him. Everyone gathers at the hospital to support Diane (Molly Shannon) as she waits for news on Nick's (Tracy Letts) condition. In the midst of the chaos, Frances considers finally signing a lease to open her long-planned art gallery.

Written by Sharon Horgan & Paul Simms; directed by Jesse Peretz.

Episode #3: "Counseling"

Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 23 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Oct. 23 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 26 (1:35 a.m.), 27 (10:15 p.m.) and 29 (2:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Oct. 24 (9:00 p.m.), 26 (11:30 p.m.), 27 (8:00 p.m.) and 30 (5:30 p.m.)

Robert (Thomas Haden Church) and Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker) attend couples therapy in an effort to see if their marriage is salvageable. Frances gets advice from Dallas (Talia Balsam), while Robert vents at work. At home, tensions mount as Frances and Robert try to maintain a facade of normalcy for the children. Frances arrives at an epiphany.

Written by Sharon Horgan & Paul Simms; directed by Jesse Peretz.

Episode #4: "Mediation"

Debut date: SUNDAY, OCT. 30 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdate: Oct. 30 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.) and Nov. 2 (2:30 a.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m.) and 5 (9:50 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Oct. 31 (9:00 p.m.)

In hopes of keeping their split amicable, Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Robert (Thomas Haden Church) meet with a mediator. Frances confides in a co-worker, and Robert gets surprising financial news.

Written by Patricia Breen; directed by Ben Taylor.

The series will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

DIVORCE was created by Sharon Horgan, with Paul Simms serving as a showrunner; executive produced by Paul Simms, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Horgan, Alison Benson and Aaron Kaplan.