Television audiences know Edie Falco from her incredible guest performance on 30 Rock.  Even critics took notice, and she earned an Emmy Award nomination for playing Celeste “C.C.” Cunningham, alongside Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy.  This time, the network Showtime has announced that Falco will be playing the lead in a new series, Nurse Jackie.

Nurse Jackie, still a tentative title, is a half-hour dark comedy which will run for twelve episodes.  Edie Falco will be playing the iconoclastic, strong-willed Jackie O'Hurley from New York City, juggling her career duties at an urban hospital while contending with her ragged personal life.  The very flawed character sports a lapsed faith in Catholicism as well as a weakness for Vicodin and Adderall. 

The show will be illuminating the intricacies of heroic people who devote their lives to saving others'.  “It's quintessential premium cable, and with Edie on board, quintessential Showtime,” admits Robert Greenblatt, President of Showtime Entertainment.

Showtime has also revealed that production will begin in late 2008, and will likely premiere in February of 2009.  Nurse Jackie's pilot episode was written by Liz Brixius, Linda Wallem and Evan Dunsky.  “Nothing is more thrilling for us than bringing Edie Falco to Showtime in this unique, quirky, touching comedy/drama,” says Greenblatt.  It will also star Eve Best, Peter Facinelli, Merritt Wever, Haaz Slieman and Paul Schulze. 

Edie Falco was seen on the second season of 30 Rock as Democratic congresswoman Celeste Cunningham, who developed a romantic relationship with Jack but later broke up with him.  Falco is also famous for playing the role of Carmela Soprano on the hit series The Sopranos.  Her other television appearances include one episode of Will and Grace, and the acclaimed HBO series Oz.  Her recent nomination at the Emmys for her stint on 30 Rock has given her even more exposure, and now, her very own show.

30 Rock will be back in its new timeslot, 9:30pm on October 30 on NBC, but fans can catch the cast earlier on DVD, as the season 2 collection will be released on October 7. 


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Showtime, Reuters
(Image Courtesy of Eonline.com)