Josh Berman ("Bones," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") is the creator and executive producer of the new series, which, press notes state, "tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney."

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron of Storyline Entertainment are the executive producers of the series. Zadan and Meron are the famed producing team behind the Oscar-winning film of Chicago, the acclaimed movie of Hairspray and the recent TV film "A Raisin in the Sun."

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the new series will premiere in summer 2009 on Lifetime Television.

JoAnn Alfano, executive vice president of Lifetime Networks, said in a statement, "I couldn't be more excited about 'Drop Dead Diva.' It's the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand – the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor."

Margaret Cho is well known for her stand-up work in I'm the One That I Want, which also enjoyed a wildly successful run Off-Broadway, on national tour and was subsequently filmed and adapted into a best-selling book. Her other one-woman shows include Notorious C.H.O., which would lead the comedienne to Carnegie Hall; Revolution; and the politically charged State of Emergency and Assassin. Cho was also seen by television audiences in her sitcom "All-American Girl."

Brooke Elliott has been seen on Broadway in The Pirate Queen and Taboo as well as in the national tour of Wicked.