Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva' redefines beauty

The title of Drop Dead Diva, a series due July 12 (Lifetime, 9 p.m. ET/PT), sets up its premise: Vapid blond model Deb (Brooke D'Orsay) is killed in a car accident but returns to life in the body of smart, plus-size attorney Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott).

It's a cross between Freaky Friday and Heaven Can Wait that creator Josh Berman (CSI, Bones) calls a "life-affirming" dramedy. Initially horrified at her new body, Deb finds the meaning of inner beauty as she summons the smarts to juggle legal cases, aided by her assistant (Margaret Cho), and reconnects incognito with her still-grieving boyfriend.

In Hollywood, "beauty has been defined as size 2 and under 25; hopefully we can help redefine the paradigm," Berman says. D'Orsay reappears in flashbacks as Deb/Jane "remembers who she was and discovers who she is."

The 13-episode series, a companion for Army Wives, was initially developed for Fox and is being shot in Peachtree City, Ga.

Drop Dead Diva

"Drop Dead Diva" is Lifetime's spirited new comedic drama series that puts a uniquely compelling twist on the age-old battle between brains and beauty. It premieres on Lifetime Sunday, July 12 at 9 pm et/pt.

The show tells the story of a beautiful-but-vapid model wannabe, Deb, who has a fatal car accident and suddenly finds herself in front of Heaven's gatekeeper, Fred, who declares her a self-centered "zero." Outraged, Deb attempts to persuade Fred to return her to her shallow existence but is accidentally relegated to the body of the recently deceased Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott). A brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney with a loyal assistant (Margaret Cho), Jane has always lived in the shadow of her more comely colleagues, whereas Deb has always relied on her external beauty. Now, by a twist of fate and a bolt of divine intervention, Deb must come to terms with inhabiting Jane’s plus-size frame in the ultimate showdown between brains and beauty.

"Drop Dead Diva" is produced by Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Josh Berman ("Bones," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") is creator and executive producer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award–winning "Chicago," "Hairspray," Lifetime's "Living Proof") of Storyline Entertainment are executive producers.