The Starter Wife is a television miniseries on USA Network based on The New York Times best-selling novel with the same title written by Gigi Levangie Grazer. It centers on the life of Molly Kagan (Debra Messing), a wife of a movie studio executive, as she tries to start anew after her husband leaves her for a younger woman.

With her movie mogul husband, adorable daughter and flawless McMansion in Brentwood, Molly seems to have it all. But her luxurious life suddenly comes to end when she gets a call from her husband informing her of his intentions of divorce, just a few days before their 10th year anniversary. Right then and there, Molly’s social status was reduced into “Starter Wife” and everything and everyone starts turning their back on her. Luckily, her most loyal friend Joan (Judy Davis) comes to the rescue and invites her to take refuge at her Malibu beach house. With the help of her true friends, Molly realizes that it is all up to her on what she should do with her new life.

The series premiered with a two-hour presentation on May 31, 2007 and immediately attracted 5.4 million viewers. It was nominated for ten Emmy Awards including Outstanding Miniseries, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Debra Messing), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie (Joe Mantegna) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie which Judy Davis bagged. Debra Messing was also nominated for a 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or a TV Movie and a 2008 SAG Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Miniseries of TV Movie.

Although The Starter Wife was originally intended to be only a six-part miniseries, USA Network was reported to renew the show as a regular series. Its first season is scheduled to air on October 2008.


-Katherine Garcia, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: USA Network
(Image Courtesy of USA Network)