February 21, 2008

Three-time Emmy winner Edie Falco is jumping premium cable ships, going from HBO to Showtime for a new comedy pilot.

Showtime announced Thursday (Feb. 21) that the network is fast tracking a half-hour single-camera comedy about "a strong-willed, iconoclastic New York City nurse juggling the frenzied grind of an urban hospital and an equally challenging personal life."

Like the Showtime hit "Weeds," the Falco comedy would be co-produced with Lionsgate TV.

"To be bringing Edie Falco to Showtime is both a privilege and an honor," says Showtime Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt in a statement. "She sits firmly in the pantheon of the great actresses of our day, and to have found a show and a great role that meets her standards after six seasons of 'The Sopranos' is our distinct pleasure and great fortune. Bada bing is all I can think of to say!"

Wait. What did Carmella Soprano have to do with the Bada Bing? Nevermind.

Evan Dunsky, Linda Wallem ("The Comeback") and Liz Brixius wrote the pilot, which will be shot in New York City

Although she's best known for dramatic work on "The Sopranos" and "Oz" before that, Falco has no trouble getting laughs in a multi-episode arc on NBC's "30 Rock" earlier this season.

"My time on 'The Sopranos' was so rich and so full; the challenge has been finding something else that would excite me," Falco says. "This character and the writing are truly thrilling."