A starter wife is that first wife, completely devoted and self-sacrificing, that stands by her husband as he struggles to the top. Once up there, he leaves her.

“The Starter Wife” television mini-series stars Debra Messing, of “Will & Grace” fame, as one of them starter wife victims, trying to overcome the pain of her loss. After years of marriage to a Hollywood studio exec (Peter Jacobson), Molly Kagan gets dumped over the phone.

The rest of the mini is about Molly redefining herself and starting a new life. Now a single mom without the perks of being Mrs. Kenny Kagan (such as good tables at restaurants and chit-chatting with fellow socialite mrs.-es), Molly moves in with friend Joan (Judy Davis) in her Malibu beach pad.

Molly’s suffering self-esteem (left by hubby for 20-something singing wannabe) is conveniently healed by the flattering attention of a studio exec (Joe Mantegna) searching for some authenticity beyond the Hollywood facades and of a younger mysterious guy who’s always on the beach (Stephen Moyer).

The series is based on the novel “The Starter Wife” by Gigi Levangie Grazer, published in 2005.

Debra is charming in the role of Molly, but the script, penned by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, does not bring any Earth-shattering inside details. Fun, but not necessary watch.

“The Starter Wife,” 9 p.m. Thursdays, USA Network