Lifetime In A State of Mind

Lifetime Television has ordered production of State of Mind, a quirky and comedic new drama series starring Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under") as a brilliant, take-charge therapist whose personal problems rival those of her eclectic and offbeat patients, it was announced today by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services. "State of Mind" joins the previously announced "Army Wives" as the second new drama to be ordered for 2007.

Filmed in Los Angeles, the ensemble cast is led by Taylor and also includes Derek Riddell ("No Angels"), Mido Hamada ("The Path to 9/11"), Kevin Chamberlin (Two-time Tony® Award winner, Broadway's "Dirty Blond," "Seussical"), Lolita Davidovich ("The L Word"), and Devon Gummersall ("Relativity," "My So-Called Life"). Greer Shephard and Michael Robin, executive producers of "Nip/Tuck" and "The Closer," serve as executive producers of "State of Mind." The pilot, also directed by Michael Robin, was written by best-selling author and practicing psychotherapist Amy Bloom. The series is produced by Shephard/Robin Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television for Lifetime Television.

"We're thrilled to have brought the talents of Lili Taylor to Lifetime in a new drama series produced by cable hit makers Greer Shephard and Mike Robin. Lili's character is imminently relatable and we know our viewers will instantly connect with her," said Daniels in making the announcement.

"Lifetime has boldly provided us with a wonderful creative opportunity to show therapists' lives from a real therapist's point-of-view," said Executive Producer Greer Shephard. Adding, "It is this type of innovative programming that makes the cable playground a terrific place to play."

In "State of Mind," Dr. Ann Bellows (Taylor) finds her life at a crossroads after she catches her husband, Phil, a fellow psychiatrist, having sex with their own couple's counselor. As her personal life is suddenly crumbling, Ann begins to feel she might be as much in need of psychiatric help as her patients.

As Ann attempts to continue on with both her personal and professional lives, she is comforted by her colleagues at New Haven Psychiatrist Associates, a rambling Victorian house-turned-office which accommodates multiple therapists.

They include: Dr. James Le Croix (Riddell), an eccentric child psychiatrist whose unconventional treatment methods are often times considered radical by others; Dr. Cordelia Banks (Davidovich), a resourceful Southern belle who sees her clients between internet shopping sprees and a secret office romance she shares with the married and highly regarded analyst Dr. Taj Kalid (Hamada); and sarcastic and socially awkward office manager, Fred Smedresman (Chamberlin), whose job is to keep the office running at an efficient pace while being a recreational shrink and a first class snoop.

In need of a new tenant to replace her husband's office space after he unceremoniously skips out on her life and the practice, Ann meets transplanted Minnesotan Barry White (Gummersall), a sweet, sheepish young man who is a newly minted lawyer in need of an office and agrees to fill the vacancy. He soon tries to adjust to life being among four therapists, which includes constant ribbing about his famous namesake.

Warner Horizon Television was founded to produce lower-budget scripted and reality primetime series for network and cable marketplaces. This additional production entity allows the Warner Bros. Television Group to expand its programming offering and explore creative options made possible under a new business model.

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (www.lifetimetv.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.