Lifetime Television has ordered production of 13 episodes of "Side Order of Life," a quirky, thought-provoking and comedic new drama series centering on a young magazine photographer who suddenly re-evaluates her life and impending nuptials after receiving "a wake-up call from the universe." The announcement was made today by Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Entertainment Services. "Side Order of Life" premieres this July on Lifetime Television. It joins previously announced dramas "Army Wives," starring Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell, premiering in June and "State of Mind," starring Lili Taylor, also premiering in July, as the Network's third new original scripted drama series to premiere this summer.

Filmed in Los Angeles, the series stars Marisa Coughlan, Jason Priestley, Christopher Gartin and Diana-Maria Riva. Academy Award®-winning producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen (American Beauty) of The Jinks/Cohen Company serve as executive producers. The pilot, directed by James Frawley ("Ally McBeal"), was written by Margaret Nagle (HBO's "Warm Springs"), who created the series and serves as co-executive producer. The series is produced by The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Horizon Television for Lifetime Television.

"We're ecstatic to have this fresh and relevant show on Lifetime that declares 'make every day of your life count,'" said Daniels in making the announcement. Adding, "Margaret Nagle has truly created unconventional and relatable characters. The cast, led by breakout star Marisa Coughlan and the popular Jason Priestley, make the consummate ensemble."

"The best part of life is the connection we make with others," said Nagle. "It is that disconnect which we've become used to in our daily lives that I wanted to address."

In "Side Order of Life," 30-year-old Jenny McIntyre (Coughlan, "Boston Legal"), is a photographer for a national magazine. Disconnected from the world, Jenny's life has been purely superficial, including planning every precise detail of her upcoming wedding to her fiancé Ian (Priestley, "Beverly Hills, 90210"), a hotshot businessman with more style than substance.

In an instant, Jenny's perfectly mapped-out life veers off course when she learns life-altering news from her brash and outspoken best friend, Vivy (Riva, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"). This news serves as a wake-up call -- and rebirth -- for Jenny, who instantly begins to open herself up to the power of life. At work, Jenny's boss, Rick (Christopher Gartin, House), believes in her as a potential reporter and gives her the opportunity to cover an important story to test her mettle.

With fresh eyes looking through the lens of her camera, Jenny begins to see that everyone in the world is somehow connected -- and soon reassesses her relationship with Ian...and her life.