Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (also known as Girlfriends' Guide to Freedom in season 3, Girlfriends' Guide to Bossing Up in season 4, and Girlfriends' Guide to Ever After in season 5) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Marti Noxon for the American cable network Bravo. Based on the Girlfriends' Guides book series by Vicki Iovine, the series revolves around Abby McCarthy, a self-help author who finds solace in new friends and adventures as she faces an impending divorce. Lisa Edelstein portrays the main character Abby. Beau Garrett and Necar Zadegan co-star. Janeane Garofalo was part of the main cast for the first seven episodes of season 1 before departing the cast. She was replaced in episode 8 with Alanna Ubach. Paul Adelstein co-starred as a main cast member for the first two seasons, before being reduced to a recurring character for the third and fifth seasons. Retta recurred during the show's second season before being promoted to the main cast at the start of season 3.
Produced by Universal Cable Productions, it is the first original scripted series for Bravo. A 13-episode first season was ordered by the network, which premiered on December 2, 2014. The show debuted to 1.04 million viewers. Critical reception for the series has initially been generally positive, with particular praise towards Edelstein's performance and the series' quality over the reality series on Bravo. The show was eventually renewed for a second season, which premiered on December 1, 2015. On April 13, 2016, it was announced that Bravo had renewed the show for a third, fourth and fifth season. On August 5, 2016, it was announced that the fifth season would be the show's last.
Cast
Main
Lisa Edelstein as Abby McCarthy, a self-help book author in her early 40s in Los Angeles. Her marriage has recently ended, throwing both her personal and professional lives into serious disarray. Beau Garrett as Phoebe Conte, a recent divorcée and former model. Up until now she has been a typical free spirit but she is now seeking a more stable life. Necar Zadegan as Delia Banai, a divorce attorney who represents Abby in her divorce. She struggles with career and personal life balance. Alanna Ubach as Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis, Abby's best friend from college who comes to live with her in LA. She is recently separated from her husband after finding out he had a second family. (season 1, episode 8–season 5) Paul Adelstein as Jake Novak, Abby's husband from whom she is recently separated. He is a director with a limited amount of success and has up until now lived in Abby's shadow. (seasons 1–2; recurring seasons 3 & 5) Janeane Garofalo as Lyla Straley, Abby's friend, a divorcée and entertainment lawyer. A bitter custody battle with her ex causes her to flee California for Portland in the middle of season 1. (season 1, episodes 1–7) Retta as Barbara Sawyer, Abby's co-worker at SheShe, who later becomes her business partner. (seasons 3–5; recurring season 2)
Recurring
Conner Dwelly as Lilly, Abby's daughter
Dylan Schombing as Charlie, Abby's son
Julianna Guill as Becca Riley, Jake's new girlfriend and a successful actress on a CW show Patrick Heusinger as Max McCarthy, Abby's brother J. August Richards as Ford, husband to Abby's brother Warren Christie as Will, Abby's new boyfriend Brian Markinson as Albert, Delia's boss and long-time fling. Delia has an affair with him while engaged to Gordon Matthew Glave as Gordon Beech, Delia's client with whom she starts an affair Brandon Jay McLaren as Marco, Phoebe's love interest Aaron Staton as JD, Phoebe's love interest Jean Smart as Katherine Miller, Abby's editor Mark Valley as Dr. Harris, Abby's love interest Maury Sterling as Rob Frumpkis, Jo's ex-husband Will Kemp as Scott, the vegan confectioner at Jo's bakery Megan Hilty as Charlene, Frumpkis' new girlfriend Charles Mesure as Ralf, Phoebe's ex-husband James Lesure as Mike Brady, Charlie's baseball coach Daisy Betts as Gemma Alison Thornton as Zooey Hernandez Frumpkis Steve Talley as Tony, Phoebe's brother