The Starter Wife (miniseries)

The Starter Wife
Created byGigi Levangie
Based onThe Starter Wife
by Gigi Levangie
Written by
  • Josann McGibbon
  • Sara Parriott
Directed byJon Avnet
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes6
Production
Producers
  • Jon Avnet
  • Stephanie Davis
  • Howard Klein
  • Gigi Levangie
  • Josann McGibbon
  • Sara Parriott
Production companiesHaypop Productions
3 Arts Entertainment
McGibbon-Parriott Productions
Original release
NetworkUSA Network
ReleaseMay 31 (2007-05-31) –
June 28, 2007 (2007-06-28)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

The Starter Wife is a 2007 USA Network television miniseries, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Gigi Levangie Grazer. Its title is derived from the concept of a starter marriage. Filmed over four months in Queensland, Australia,[1] the plot focuses on Molly Kagan (Debra Messing) who, after years of marriage to a Hollywood film mogul, is forced to redefine herself and her role in society when her husband leaves her for a younger woman.

The mini-series premiered with a two-hour presentation on May 31, 2007 at 9:00 pm ET. The premiere attracted 5.4 million viewers, with 2.8 million of them being adults aged 25–54 (the network's target demographic). Ratings steadily decreased as the series progressed. The series is available for purchase on iTunes (to American customers only) and was available for DVD purchase starting September 11, 2007.

The miniseries was nominated for ten Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries, Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Debra Messing), Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (Joe Mantegna), Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Judy Davis), and Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special (Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott). Davis was the sole winner, while Messing was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie.

Although initially intended as a one-shot miniseries, USA subsequently ordered The Starter Wife as a new series for the 2008 spring season.[2] Production on the series first ten-episode season was delayed due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, and began airing October 10, 2008.

  1. ^ "The Starter Wife". krista-net.com. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Adalian, Josef (October 16, 2007). "'Starter Wife' evolves on USA". Variety.