Bravo greenlights its first scripted series

Bravo is taking a break from expanding its “Real Housewives” franchise into every state in the union to order its first scripted series, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.”

The series, based on the “Girlfriends’ Guide” book series by Vicki Iovine, follows the life of a newly single self-help author (played by “House’s” Lisa Edelstein) as she re-enters the L.A. dating scene in her 40s.

Janeane Garofalo and Beau Garrett also star as her best friends, also divorcees, who provide insight and advice on her new life and relationships. Even better, Carrie Fisher makes a cameo in the pilot as a book editor.

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“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” writer Marti Noxon adapted the series, which is getting a 13-episode first season.

This is Bravo’s first foray into scripted programming, after building its brand on the popularity of such reality shows as the “Real Housewives” franchise, “Top Chef” and the talk show “Watch What Happens Live.”

Andrew Wang, Bravo’s vice president of scripted development and production, said in a statement, “For our first scripted show, we wanted something that was sophisticated, funny and honest.”

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