Carole Segal/BravoCan you believe it's been exactly 10 years since House premiered?! Well the o.g. House goddess herself Lisa Edelstein is back on TV tonight, on a show that could not be more different, but shares one key thing in common: It will suck you right in.
Also, Hugh Laurie is in it. Just kidding. But you should watch anyway.
Bravo's Girlfriends Guide to Divorce is the network's first real foray into the scripted realm, and whether you are a fan of Bravo's usual fare or not (no judgments either way!), there's a good chance you will love it.
The dramedy—which also stars Janeane Garofalo, Paul Adelstein and has guest stars like Carrie Fisher, Laverne Cox and C. Thomas Howell—is smart, edgy, sexy, funny and, at points, so emotionally gut-punching you will find it hard to breathe. Oh, and it was created by Marti Noxon who knows a thing or two about quality scripted TV. (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, anyone?)
Edelstein, who plays a successful self-help book writer, Abby McCarthy, tells us that she believes the show's scripted nature is actually freeing when compared to reality TV fare like The Real Housewives.
"I think you can be a little crazier when it's scripted because no one's real life is at risk," the recently married actress (oh, the irony!) explains. "You can actually go further and be more intimate and still tell the same kind of stories, but deeper."
When Girlfriends' Guide starts off, Abby's (Edelstein) life is unraveling, as she and her husband are separated, but still putting up a front of living together for the sake of the kids. Her husband, bee tee dubs, is Scandal and The Practice's Paul Adelstein, who is equal parts despicable and shaggable in this role.
It's a show with no real judgments: Everyone is a hot mess, and that goes for Edelstein's character, too.
"One of the interesting things about this show," Paul Adelstein adds, " is that it's kind of set up like there's a bad guy and there's a good guy in this relationship, and then you learn that there's a lot of blame to go around. They've been together for over 20 years since college, and it's just kind of run its course."
It's a painful but exciting new beginning.
"In the very first episode, you'll see that she outs herself and ruins her own career," Edelstein tells us. "After everything falls apart, who is Abby McCarthy? She doesn't even know. She has to refind herself and this whole first season is her exploration of who that is. She makes a lot of mistakes."
Also, P.S. House fans? Lisa Edelstein is THE STAR OF THE SHOW, so no chance of her leaving you heartbroken once more. (Cuddy + House forevah!)
Check out Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce tonight on Bravo, and hit me up at @kristindsantos on Twitter to let me know what you think.