TV Jots

Former Life Star Headed to USA Network

More than ten months later, I still can’t believe NBC had the gall to cancel Life, one of the best shows on television at that time. But it’s a huge consolation right now that NBC’s basic-cable sister network USA Network has just given a 12-episode, full-season order to new series Facing Kate, a drama starring former Life lead (and recent Psych guest star) Sarah Shahi.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Facing Kate joins fellow Piper Perabo newbie Covert Affairs, another female-led series that USA Network picked up in January for a full season. Each hourlong show will likely launch later this year.

Shahi plays attorney Kate Reed on Facing Kate. The successful lawyer decides to leave the stress and frustrations of her high-profile career behind in order to become a mediator. So, instead of always fighting the legal system while trying to win for her client in court, she hopes to help both disputing parties win as they seek resolution of a problem out of court.

The premise doesn’t exactly turn me on, but it’s the execution that matters most anyway. With Shahi starring, there’s a strong possibility I’ll be able to get into the series when it begins airing. Now if only her terrific former Life co-star Damian Lewis could score a new show, too.

FYI: Other Facing Kate cast members include Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica‘s Samuel Anders — Woot!), Baron Vaughn (Law & Order), and Virginia Williams (How I Met Your Mother). They sweeten the premise considerably.