The Starter Wife | |
---|---|
Title card
|
|
Created by | Gigi Levangie |
Written by |
|
Directed by | Jon Avnet |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 5 (one two-hour; four one-hour) |
Production | |
Producer(s) |
|
Running time | 6 hours |
Production company(s) | Haypop Productions 3 Arts Entertainment McGibbon-Parriott Productions |
Distributor | NBCUniversal Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | USA Network |
Original release | May 31 – June 28, 2007 |
The Starter Wife is a 2007 USA Network television miniseries, based on the 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, 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.