By Luaine Lee
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Debra Messing, who was so funny on “Will & Grace,” is trying her hand at solving crimes on NBC’s new “The Mysteries of Laura.” She plays a newly single mom of twins who handles homicide cases by day and unruly siblings at night.

Debra Messing, the former star of “Will & Grace” tries her hand at solving crimes in NBC’s new series, “The Mysteries of Laura.” Photo by Matthew Rolston, courtesy USA Network.
“This is a dream come true for me because I get to be in the center of a mystery and a murder mystery,” she says. “This was the first time I’ve read a script for network TV where I didn’t have to choose — do I want to do a comedy or do I want to do a drama? It’s both, and I’m so grateful and so excited to start this adventure, because it does feel like uncharted territory on primetime TV.”
Messing admits she’s a fan of true-crime shows on television. “I have been an avid watcher of what was Court TV and is now truTV, live trials, because I am fascinated by the judicial system,” she says.
“I am amazed by how extreme human nature can present itself. Life is more interesting than art most of the time. And in my downtime, I watch ‘48 Hours’ and ‘Dateline,’ and everything has to do with murder. I know that there must be something that I should explore about that with my therapist, but I’m like, ‘OK, do we have a murder on tonight?’”