"The way these people relate to each other can be very direct, brutal, even," says Karvan. "They love and dislike each other. It's extremely frank."
Love My Way was co-produced by Karvan and Southern Star's John Edwards. They had worked together previously on the Ten Network's generation-defining hit The Secret Life of Us and were keen to continue the partnership.
Love My Way seemed like a natural progression from The Secret Life of Us and described a world that was relevant to her.
Network Ten was involved in the early development of Love My Way, but this "short flirtation" didn't blossom into a full-time romance.
"We believe it (Ten's decision not to proceed) was a question of budget," says Edwards. "It would have been a very different show had we stayed there."
Foxtel picked up the series instead. According to Edwards, the cable network believes the drama can help it attract new subscribers and build its profile as a producer of original drama.
"They've (Foxtel) seen what's happened with HBO and wanted a piece of work that's distinctive and good," says Edwards.
He's referring to the HBO's transformation from a movie channel into a successful producer of original dramas. At this year's Emmy awards, HBO won 32 Primetime Emmies - more than three times that of any other network.
The involvement of Karvan and Edwards makes comparisons between Love My Way and The Secret Life of Us inevitable.
Foxtel, keen to tap into the aura that still surrounds the series, has been advertising its new drama with the teasing catchline: "The Secret Life of Us was just foreplay".
Karvan is a little wary of these comparisons. She believes Love My Way is "rawer and darker" than Secret Life.
"When I look at the rushes, I try to think of other shows to compare it to, and I can't," she says. "Someone described it as a Cold Feet world with a Six Feet Under tone. That's aiming for the stars, but you have to start somewhere."
Love My Way premieres on Monday (November 22, 2004) at 8.30pm on Fox8.