NBC just announced the series will premiere with a two-hour event Jan. 2, 2008 at 9-11 PM and continue on Wednesday nights at 10 PM. (All times ET; check local listings.)

Teaming with Martin (Rent) will be new co-star Sisto (Festen, "Six Feet Under") when the show resumes. Waterston (Abe Lincoln in Illinois) also returns — replacing Fred Thompson — with series regular Merkerson (the upcoming Come Back, Little Sheba). Roache (Richard II - London) fills in the Chief Assistant District Attorney role left vacant by Waterston, partnering with Alana De La Garza.

Guest stars will include such other stage actors as Susan Blackwell ([title of show], Speech & Debate), Elizabeth Marvel (Hedda Gabler, upcoming Top Girls), Marin Ireland (The Ruby Sunrise, Manuscript) and Michael McKean (The Pajama Game, The Homecoming).

Martin is known to theatre audiences for originating the role of Tom Collins in Rent — a part he reprised for the Christopher Columbus film version of the musical. Martin is also known for his television appearances on "Ally McBeal" and as the Ghost of Christmas Present in NBC's TV musical version of "A Christmas Carol." He can also be heard on the Sh-K-Boom Records release of Paul Scott Goodman's rock opera Bright Lights, Big City. Martin is also slated to play Marvin Gaye in the feature film biopic "Sexual Healing."

New York-based actors all breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was recently announced that the New York-set series "Law & Order" and its spinoffs would return this season. The original "Law & Order" reaches its 18th season in January 2008, having provided many stage actors with a paying TV gig over the years. For more information, visit NBC.com.