Any fan of 'Damages' knows the show is propelled to riveting dramatic heights thanks to the relationship between Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), but behind every great woman, there's a few good men. 'Damages' Season 4 is no exception.

John Goodman, Chris Messina and Dylan Baker join Close and Byrne for a new kind of case -- this season (premieres Wed., July 13 at 10PM on DirecTV's Audience Network), the ladies are exploring the military and private defense sector.

Goodman plays Howard Erickson, the CEO of a private military defense company, the target of Ellen and Patty's case. Messina plays a decorated solider and contractor under Erickson and Baker plays Jerry Boorman, an associate of Erickson's who is described by DirecTV as a "shadowy opportunist."

Chances are, if you didn't know who Rose Byrne was before, you do now after her tour de force summer.

Between the smashing successes of her films 'Bridesmaids' and 'X-Men: First Class,' and the return of 'Damages' (Wed., July 13 at 10PM on DirecTV's Audience Network), there's no escaping this talented Aussie -- and no reason you should want to!

When viewers last saw Byrne's Ellen Parsons, she was walking away from Patty Hewes (Glenn Close). It's now been three years in the world of 'Damages' and a lot has changed.

"She's had a lot of time away from Patty," Byrne told AOL TV. "She's sort of been given her space and I think space from what she wants from the law. She's working at a completely different law firm. When [Patty and Ellen] meet again, it's on much different terms."

She's ruthless, cunning, manipulative ... and a doting grandma? What has become of Patty Hewes since viewers last saw her?

I took that question directly to series star Glenn Close at the premiere of 'Damages' Season 4 (Wed., July 13 at 10PM on DirecTV's Audience Network).

"She's at the top of her game, she has this huge suit against an international pharmaceutical company and she's going to win it -- and she knows she's going to win it," Close told me.

'Damages' begins three years after viewers last saw Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) and Patty together, and boy, how things have changed. Ellen has been picking Patty's brain about a huge case against Howard Erickson (John Goodman), the head of a private military defense organization.

"She and Ellen have been having these coffees and one thing leads to another," Close said. "She's kind of moved on."