DROP DEAD DIVA Comes Back To Life(time), 6/23

In a dramatic twist befitting of a TV series centered upon a near-death experience - or, as the case may be, an actual death experience - DROP DEAD DIVA has been officially announced to return on June 23.

The Lifetime series has been a strong performer for the network over its previous four seasons, though the network decided to drop the LA-set show this January following somewhat lackluster ratings and reaction to the fourth season. Yet, the fans have now had their say and the show is back on the female-centered channel for good.

Brooke Elliott, Kate Levering, Jackson Hurst, Margaret Cho, April Bowlby and Lex Medlin all return for the new season, which will kick off on June 23. John Ratzenberger, Jamie Ray Newman and new series regular Justin Deeley also appear.

As producer Neil Meron commented to me in my extensive InDepth InterView with him and partner Craig Zadan earlier this year, "You know, it's just like the plot of the show; where somebody is killed, but then they come back to life in another form!" he said with a laugh. View the complete InDepth InterView: Craig Zadan & Neil Meron here.

Check out the official synopsis of DROP DEAD DIVA Season Five as follows: "The series' fifth season opener, entitled "Back from the Dead," picks up from last season's cliff hanger finale with Jane (Elliott) frantically searching for her missing fiancé Owen (Medlin), who Disappeared after witnessing her kiss Grayson (Hurst) moments before their wedding. While both Jane and Owen nurse their broken hearts, Jane's friends and co-workers also are confronted with their own life dilemmas. Kim (Levering) goes public with her pregnancy at the firm as Grayson continues to struggle with his feelings for Jane. Meanwhile, Stacy (Bowlby) is left contemplating the future of her business, The Pakery. Newcomer Justin Deely (90210) joins Drop Dead Diva as Jane's new heavenly guide Paul, stepping in for Luke (Carter McIntyre) when he is called back to Heaven just after telling her that Old Jane has returned to earth. Now that Jane and Old Jane are both on earth, the two kindred spirits will finally meet face-to-face, creating one of the most highly anticipated Drop Dead Diva moments ever."

Also, don't miss BroadwayWorld's extensive DROP DEAD DIVA series from 2011, such as this interview with Margaret Cho here.

Season Five of DROP DEAD DIVA airs Sundays at 9 PM on Lifetime starting June 23.

So, are you overjoyed to see the return of Jane and company to TV screens this Summer?

Photo Credit: Lifetime