Debra Messing ("Will & Grace") and Katherine McPhee ("American Idol") will star in the upcoming series that focuses on the creation of a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Here, Messing talks about her character, her knowledge of Marilyn Monroe and her excitement about working on a musical project. McPhee discusses what happens behind-the-scenes of filming and what the new series will be about.

The series, according to NBC, "centers on a desire to create a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe—written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband of many years, but her focus is torn when she has the opportunity to write another Broadway hit. A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty (Katherine McPhee)—who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds—and stage veteran (Megan Hilty), who's determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. A tenacious producer Eileen (Anjelica Huston) discovers the 'Marilyn' project and jumps on board with a brilliant director (Jack Davenport)—whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality."

To hear what the stars have to say about "Smash," look below: