Reprising their roles are three-time Emmy Award-winner Judy Davis ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadow") as Joan McAllister and Chris Diamantopoulos ("Behind the Camera: Mork & Mindy") as Rodney – Molly's two best friends. Also returning this season as a special guest star is Joe Mantegna ("Criminal Minds") as Lou Manahan, former studio head and former boyfriend of Molly. Davis won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role as Joan in 2007. This is the first time both Davis and Diamantopoulos have been cast as regulars in a series.
Joining the regular cast of THE STARTER WIFE are David Alan Basche ("Lipstick Jungle") Kenny Kagan, Molly's ex-husband; Danielle Nicolet ("Heartland") as Liz Marsh, Molly's new friend and the wife of an LA pro-baseball player; Brielle Barbusca ("Hope & Faith") as Jaden, Molly and Kenny's daughter; and Hart Bochner ("Die Hard") as Zach, Molly's new love interest and writing class professor. Guest stars include Reggie Austin ("Notes from the Underbelly"), as Devon Marsh, Liz's husband; Ronny Cox ("The Agency") as Pappy, Joan's husband; Daniel Gerroll ("Cashmere Mafia") as David Shea, a controversial movie star who Joan meets in rehab; James Black ("All of Us") as Felix, a successful action star with a secret; Krista Allen ("Unscripted") as Eve, Molly's nemesis at her daughter's school; and Alia Shawkat ("Arrested Development") as Robin, a troubled girl that Joan befriends in rehab.
