Iris Behr Stars in New HDNet Series, 'SVETLANA' Starting 5/27; Maks to Guest Star

Starting May 27, 2010, Lucille Lortel Award-winning actress, Iris Bahr will star, direct, and produce the new HDNet comedy series, "Svetlana". The series explores the trials and tribulations of Svetlana Maksimovoskaya, a Russian madam and political consultant. "Svetlana" airs Thursday, May 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET on HDNet.

"Svetlana" also features the versatile character actor Alex Veadov ("We Own The Night," "Air Force One" and "Drag Me To Hell") and Playboy Playmate Irina Voronina (Miss January 2001), and is ripe with guest star appearances by Thomas Lennon ("Reno 911!"), Sandy Martin ("Big Love," "It's Always Sunny"), Maksim Chmerkovskiy ("Dancing with the Stars", Broadway's BURN THE FLOOR), Phil LaMarr ("King of the Hill"), Jennifer Elise Cox ("10 Items or Less"), Richard Schiff ("The West Wing"), Lance Reddick ("The Wire," "Fringe") and Peter Jacobson ("House," "Good Night and Good Luck") to name a few.

In this internet sensation turned HDNet series, Svetlana runs a small yet powerful family business, aptly named "St. Petersburg House of Discreet Pleasure" which employs her three beautiful "daughters" played by Voronina, Angela Gots ("90210") and Katia Hayes. The business just happens to be located conveniently in Svetlana's three bedroom Hollywood home! The series takes a comical sneak peek into the daily workings of our leading lady's little "empire," which include, not only off-kilter clients and workplace fiascoes but family dynamics typical of any household in America such as sibling rivalry, teen angst, marital tensions with her lazy buT Loving husband Vlad (Veadov), and the challenges involved in juggling both a successful business and motherhood.

In November 2006, Iris Bahr opened her one woman show, DAI ("Enough") at the Culture Project in New York City. In the show, she played ten different characters. For this show, Bahr received the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Performance, earned 2 Drama Desk Award nominations as well as a UK Stage Award Nomination. has toured with DAI around the world including a performance at the United Nations for over 100 ambassadors and delegates.  Bahr can be seen in the filma, 'Poughkeepsie Tapes' and 'Larry The Cable Guy'. She originally became a comic sensation on Funny or Die.com

To watch the original pilot episode of 'Svetlanta', click here.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.