Coming in May to SOAPnet: SOUTHERN BELLES

SOAPnet is adding more original series to its slate and will premiere SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE on Thursday, May 21, 2009. A total of 10 one-hour docudrama episodes will air on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series, produced by Endemol USA in association with ABC Media Productions (formerly Buena Vista Productions), follows the lives of five single, modern Southern women in their 20s and 30s in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, offering an intimate look at the professional and romantic lives of this circle of friends.

SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE is a real-life SEX AND THE CITY that takes place in the South, but not the South that stereotypes are made of. The backdrop is the progressive, art-centric and warm community of Louisville, Kentucky. The series will showcase the intense friendships and family values that are part of the Southern way of life. These five contemporary and independent women are all at critical crossroads in their lives: Some are confronting their biological clocks, some are still looking for Mr. Right and are trying to find their career paths, and one is preparing for her wedding.

The SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE include:

Kellie Frey, 32: Kellie is a woman who’s always substituted money for true love. She’s a divorcee twice over and, for the first time, is going to try to stand on her own without the security of a man. Ironically she’s decided to start a matchmaking service. Because of her two divorces, Kellie thinks she’ll be a natural, since she knows what doesn’t work in relationships. Plus, she’s the one everyone goes to for advice because she tells it like it is.

Emily Gimmel, 24: Emily is the prodigal daughter who turns her back on the riches of her family’s business to pursue a career as a TV reporter. When she’s offered her dream job, she must make the decision on whether or not to leave her friends and family behind in Kentucky.

Hadley Hartz, 26: Hadley is the girl next door who is beautiful, bubbly and fun to be around. Although she has a ton of potential, she has a history of dating the wrong kind of guys and making poor career choices. But now she’s decided it’s time to grow up! Now she’s taking risks in both career and love.

Shea Johnson, 28: Shea is Daddy’s little rich girl. On the outside, it seems she has it all; she acts confident, cocky and snobbish sometimes. Behind the façade, she’s actually just a regular girl with her own family issues. Shea has finally met someone who can give her something she’s never had -- stability. She’s determined to make the wedding happen, despite the fact that she doesn’t have a ring on her finger.

Julie Smith, 34: Julie has built up walls to prevent herself from getting hurt… both romantically and professionally. It’s time for her to stop living on the sidelines and take some risks. Will a significant birthday be the catalyst to a whole new lease on life?

SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE joins the recently announced series of original programs GREG BEHRENDT'S WAKE-UP CALL, currently airing at 10:00 p.m. on Thursdays, and BEING ERICA, premiering Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. on SOAPnet.