The 'Divorce' Cast Will Keep Things Interesting

On Sunday, Oct. 9, Sarah Jessica Parker will make her long-anticipated return to the small screen when Divorce premieres on HBO. As the title indicates, the series will chronicle the drawn-out divorce between Frances (Parker) and her husband Robert (Thomas Haden Church). Although Frances has a tight-knit group of friends to help her navigate the messy process, it won't be an easy one — especially because the couple has two young children. Still, the show will have plenty of comedy and it will bring levity to a situation that countless people can relate to. The cast of HBO's Divorce brings a wide variety of experience and specific talents to the small screen, which will undoubtedly make it a strong show.

Although Frances is the star and central character, Divorce will also depict the impact of her decision on the people around her and explore the marriages of their friends. Although the show is a dark comedy, it'll also have its more serious moments and the cast has the acting chops to pull off both the comedic and the dramatic scenes. In advance of the show's premiere, let's get to know a little bit about each character — and the stellar actors who play them.

Frances (Sarah Jessica Parker)

In Parker's recent interview with TIME, the outlet described Frances as "not always sympathetic" and the show's star said her character is "real" and a "smart person." She also pointed out that, although Frances hasn't always made the best choices, she'll ultimately be relatable to be many viewers.

Although she's best known for Sex and the City, Parker has also starred in films including I Don't Know How She Does It, The Family Stone, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, and Failure to Launch.

Robert (Thomas Haden Church)

Church plays Robert, Frances' husband who is blindsided by her request for a divorce. According to The Star Telegram, he's devastated and then becomes vengeful when he learns that she's been unfaithful. He vows to Frances that he'll make sure the divorce is neither friendly nor easy and that he's “going to make [Frances'] miserable." Yikes.

This is Church's first major TV role, but he's appeared in films including Cardboard Boxer, Heaven Is For Real, John Carter, and Easy A.

Diane (Molly Shannon)

Diane is one of Frances' close friends and, unsurprisingly, Shannon's character will provide a lot of comic relief. In an interview with The Today Show, she described Diane as "a handful," while The A.V. Club noted in their review that she's "a wine-guzzling Westchester resident." Given Shannon's track record in comedy, I think it's safe to say she'll be one of the funniest characters on the show.

Like Parker, Shannon got her start on the small screen when she landed a spot on Saturday Night Live in 1995. In the early 2000s, she moved on to movie roles including Bad Teacher, The Five-Year Engagement, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Other People.

Dallas (Talia Balsam)

Dallas approves of Frances' decision and, according to Entertainment Tonight, she will form a “bitter wives club" with Frances and Diane. And, we can expect their onscreen chemistry as BFFs will be great — according to the same outlet, Parker was rooting for Balsam to land the role of Dallas and she absolutely loved working with Balsam and Shannon.

Balsam is a Mad Men alum — she played Mona Sterling throughout the show's run. She has also made appearances on The Good Wife, Homeland, and The Newsroom.

Tom (Charlie Kilgore) & Lila (Sterling Jerins)

Kilgore and Jerins play Frances and Robert's two children. Newsday posed the question, will the kids be alright? The series will likely explore the impact that their parents' sudden divorce has on Tom and Lila.

Kilgore's big break came in Wes Anderson's 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom and Jerins has appeared in blockbuster hits such as The Conjuring and World War Z.

Nick (Tracy Letts)

Letts plays Diane's husband, Nick, and the couple's relationship serves as a foil for France and Robert's divorce. According to The Boston Globe, his marriage to Diane falls apart War of the Roses-style (yikes) and they aren't shy about the fact that they absolutely hate each other.

Letts has also appeared in the movie The Big Short and the TV series Homeland.

Divorce has a top-notch cast of actors and it sounds like they'll be playing an assortment of characters with very strong personalities — many of whom are having serious relationship problems. What could possibly go wrong?

Images: Craig Blankenhorn (6); Macall B. Polay/HBO