Julianna Margulies got more than she bargained for when she signed on to "The Grid," the new TNT miniseries about counter-terrorism agencies fighting a sleeper cell come to life.

"I got so overwhelmed by the huge [research] files that came to my house," says Miss Margulies, who plays a National Security Council deputy director trying to stay one step ahead of the terrorists. "How does anyone understand it all? What is it that keeps you going? This is a job you can’t go home and talk about."

"The Grid," a joint project between TNT and the BBC, begins at 9 tonight. The four-part series, told from the perspectives of both the terrorists and counter-terrorists, will be seen on subsequent Mondays at the same time. The series wraps with a two-hour finale Aug. 9

"The Grid" follows American and British agents trying to crack a terrorist cell intent on delivering chemical weapons, and also crackles with tension between the globe’s tightest allies - American and British forces.

The thriller isn’t as black and white as the plot might suggest.

"When I read the script, I was so grateful that there were three points of view," the former "ER" star says of what she calls the "humanist" storyline.

Miss Margulies left the wildly popular "ER" four years ago to pursue new projects but doesn’t mind returning to episodic TV - preferably if the series runs less than the standard network season.

"To do 22 episodes a year and have it good every week," she says, trailing off. "I’d do HBO in a minute. You don’t have sponsors telling you what you can and can’t do."

Miss Margulies also worked in a few film features since leaving the show ("Evelyn," "Ghost Ship") with mixed results.

The one constant in her career is being cast as the strong, independent woman. She takes it as a compliment but also wants audiences to see her as more flexible than that sturdy image. Hosting "Saturday Night Live" a few years ago helped deflate her tough persona, she says.

"People were shocked," notes Miss Margulies. "They saw me as this serious actress."

Griffin’s new gig

Veteran comic Richard Pryor is teaming up with Showtime to produce a new comedy pilot starring Eddie Griffin.

Mr. Griffin, star of "Undercover Brother," will play the central character in "Pryor Offenses," Reuters News Agency reports.

"Pryor Offenses," a half-hour inspired by Mr. Pryor’s stand-up material, is an updated take on Mr. Pryor’s real-life experience as a thirtysomething comedian (Mr. Griffin) on the verge of a career breakthrough who’s also dealing with personal issues.

The project marks Mr. Griffin’s return to TV since his four-year starring turn on UPN’s comedy "Malcolm & Eddie."

His feature film credits include "John Q" and the upcoming "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo."

Soapy additions

SOAPnet has acquired the rights to the ’90s-era smashes "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills 90210."

"Melrose Place" will air weeknights at 6 p.m. on SOAPnet beginning Sept. 13. The show featured Heather Locklear, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Jack Wagner and SOAPnet personality Lisa Rinna.

"Beverly Hills 90210," the long-running drama featuring Jason Priestly, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry and Brian Austin Green, will begin airing weekdays in early 2005.

"Melrose Place" premiered in July 1992 and showcased a group of attractive residents in a hip L.A. apartment complex. Its run ended in 1999.

"Beverly Hills 90210," which began its 10-year run in October 1990, focused on the lives of close pals from high school as they navigated their way through life’s problems.

Compiled by Christian Toto from staff and wire reports.