Megan Mullally has optioned the movie rights to "Passing Strange," a novel by Sally MacLeod, to produce via her new as-yet-unnamed production shingle, hiring visual effects pro-turned-writer Martin Garner to adapt.

Mullally is the latest "Will & Grace" vet to venture into producer territory, following the steps taken by Sean Hayes, who exec produced Bravo's "Situation: Comedy," and Eric McCormack, who is exec producing Lifetime's "Lovespring International."

MacLeod's novel follows an ugly ducking woman who is persuaded by her husband's family to have major cosmetic surgery. When the couple move to the Carolinas, the woman embarks on an affair with their black yardman with dire consequences. MacLeod was inspired by many elements from her life, which included a stint as a model and living in North Carolina.

Garner juggled an MFA in screenwriting at the AFI while designing playback computer graphics for films like "Apollo 13." He has since served as computer graphics supervisor or playback engineer on such films as "Laurel Canyon" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." He served as co-writer and associate producer on the indie feature "Trans," which earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination in directing. Garner is repped by attorney Peter Grossman.

Mullally next moves into the world of daytime talk shows when "The Megan Mullally Show" from NBC Universal debuts Sept. 18. The syndicated show is cleared in 92% the country. During her eight-year run on "Will & Grace," she garnered six Emmy nominations and one win for her work on the show, as well as four Golden Globe nominations. Mullally is repped by Gersh, Untitled and Jackoway Tyerman.

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