Kevin Connolly stars in “Friends With Better Lives”

Ensemble cast comedies have been working out pretty well for CBS.

In fact, for the past few years, the network has boasted two of television's highest rated half-hour comedies -- "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother." But as the March 31 finale of the latter loomed, fans wondered what, if anything, could take its place.

CBS isn't taking any chances. What could replace a solid ensemble comedy but another, hopefully as solid, ensemble comedy? "Friends With Better Lives" debuted immediately following the "How I Met Your Mother" finale, and a new episode airs Monday, April 14, on CBS.

The network has built its new comedy using the tried-and-true framework of previously successful shows such as "How I Met Your Mother" and "Friends," following a group of friends as they navigate the ups and downs of the various stages of life. Where the premise differs, though, is the starting point of each of the characters. Though most ensemble comedies begin their run with a group of early-20-somethings just beginning to figure life out, "Friends With Better Lives" joins those lives in progress. Where shows like "How I Met Your Mother" and "Friends" end up is where "Friends With Better Lives" begins.

We meet these six friends in their early 30s. Each has taken a different path, each is at a different stage of life, and each thinks the others have it better -- hence the show's title.

Brooklyn Decker stars as Jules, a fresh-faced, bright-eyed bombshell who just recently became engaged to a man she can't get enough of. Decker began modeling at the age of 16, and made her feature film debut in 2011's "Just Go With It" alongside Jennifer Anniston ("Friends") and Adam Sandler ("Happy Gilmore," 1996). Though she insists she doesn't see herself as "the funny girl," it's been her comedy chops that have set her apart. “I don’t know if I was considered ‘funny’ when I was growing up," Decker told the "Daily News." "People who have known me for a while would always be really surprised when I would, like, tell a dirty joke." Her work tells a different story, though. Not only has she starred in big-budget comedies such as "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (2012), she's also guest-starred in quite a few television comedies -- "Ugly Betty" and "New Girl," for example. She may be unsure, but audiences know she can bring the funny -- and so does CBS.

Jules' oh-so-passionate fiance is Lowell, a former Greenpeace activist who can often be found barefoot. Their relationship is still new and incredibly passionate. Australian actor Rick Donald plays the granola-crunching Lowell, and though he's appeared on some major Australian hits, such as "Home and Away" and "The Doctor Blake Mysteries," his career is just beginning to take off. Audiences can expect to see more of this handsome Aussie in the near future.

James Van Der Beek, Kevin Connolly and Majandra Delfino as seen in “Friends With Better Lives”

Television veteran Kevin Connolly plays Bobby, a happily married man with one kid and one on the way. He's a gynecologist by trade, has been married for eight years and has settled into the natural rhythms of his comfortable life. But is it too comfortable, too predictable? This character is a big departure from what Connolly is known for -- he played the ultra-ambitious, tough-guy manager of Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier) in "Entourage" for all eight seasons of the critically acclaimed cable series.

Playing Bobby's wife, Andi, is Majandra Delfino, who may seem familiar to many TV fans. Though not yet a household name, Delfino has made her mark on both television and film since her acting debut in 1997 in both "The Tony Danza Show" and the film "Zeus and Roxeanne." Roles in major films such as "Traffic" (2000) pepper her resume, which is otherwise filled with television series. She starred in the cult-classic show "Roswell," and has appeared in other hits such as "Boston Public."

Zoe Lister-Jones has had her own string of television gigs. She's appeared in major hits such as "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "The Good Wife," and also played a major role in the now-canceled, but critically acclaimed comedy "Whitney." Her film credits include "State of Play" (2009), "Salt" (2010) and "Lola Versus" (2012). Lister-Jones plays the part of Kate in "Friends With Better Lives," the sassy, perpetually single, extremely picky, professionally successful friend.

And now for the cast member you've all been waiting for: James Van Der Beek. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Dawson has returned once more for your viewing pleasure. Van Der Beek amassed a huge fan following during his time on the teen drama "Dawson's Creek," in which he played the eponymous Dawson Leery, everyone's favorite creative and conflicted Capeside dweller. Since he left Leery behind, Van Der Beek has popped up in guest-spots in shows such as "Criminal Minds," "One Tree Hill" and "How I Met Your Mother." He's also had some luck in the film department, starring in "Varsity Blues" (1999), "Standing Still" (2005) and "Stolen Lives" (2009). Most recently, his popularity soared when he co-starred in ABC's short-lived but much-loved comedy "Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23" as a hilariously exaggerated version of himself. In "Friends With Better Lives," he steps into the role of Will, who shares a gynecology practice with Bobby. Will's life takes a sudden turn when he discovers his wife is cheating. A trial separation leads to Will crashing with Bobby and Andi "just for a while." Though he claims to be loving the single life, his friends know better, and his abortive attempts at re-entering the dating scene are the source of some of the shows biggest laughs.

It remains to be seen whether this new ensemble comedy can develop the kind of chemistry and fan following its predecessor did, but it's definitely worth tuning in to see how it all plays out. Catch a new episode of "Friends With Better Lives," airing Monday, April 14, on CBS.