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For the first television series of her career, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Holly Hunter chose to come out guns blazing, fists flying and all inhibitions aside. An Oklahoma City Detective, Grace Hanadarko drinks and smokes too much, has unapologetic sex with a married man and puts up one hell of a fight to get things her way. That is until the day she meets Earl, who, from first impressions, doesn’t appear to be an angel either. But the twist is that he actually is an angel—a guardian one—and he’s dropped in to let Grace know she’s treading on thin ice.

Who's that?: Alongside the lovely leading lady are two very tough costars: Laura San Giacomo (Julia Roberts’ friend and fellow prostitute in “Pretty Woman” who always laid down the law and spoke her mind) and “Deadwood” alum Leon Rippy as her tobacco-chewing guardian angel.

Buzzed about: A cop with emotional problems is easy. But a cop with emotional problems and true-to-life issues, played with ease, feistiness and a whole lotta wit? There’s a reason this show is already being praised in the same breath as TNT ratings success “The Closer.”

The "ooh" factor: It’s Holly Hunter! On TV! Every single week! Duh.

The "eh" factor: While they don’t touch on politics yet, faith and beliefs—albeit not tied to any one religion—are at the heart of the story. From Earl’s persistent reminder that there is a higher power to the moving scenes revealing Grace’s connection to the Oklahoma City bombing tragedy, there’s an undertone of something much larger at hand in her life. We just hope they steer clear of getting too preachy.

The verdict: Watch it for the action, stay for the touching sentiment and personal revelations.

"Saving Grace" premieres Monday, July 23, at 10 p.m./9c on TNT.

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