Téa Leoni has reached new heights in her TV career – and has found love on the set of her new show, writes Debashine Thangevelo
THE world of TV is regarded as gold to Hollywood actors. After all, it has become the new dwelling for some of the most ingenious writing. In fact, that is the very reason why it has been so easy to poach some of the big screen’s heavyweights.
In this era of pioneering shows, there is, of course, always something fresh on the horizon. This time, it’s Madam Secretary with Téa Leoni at the helm.
Now the small screen’s politicking landscape has been consecrated by some of the best offerings like The West Wing, House of Cards and The Fixer.
And Leoni is throwing in her oar as the eponymous character of her new TV show. It has been several years since she has had any presence on this platform. In fact, the last time she had any substantial scope, it was in The Naked Truth.
Thankfully, a formidable comeback is one way to get over the slump.
And, like Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife, the 49-year-old has found herself something that will not only anchor her, but also unmask her in a way that fans have probably never witnessed in the past.
As Elizabeth Adams McCord, Leoni is proving to be a tour de force. Her character demands a strength that is unshakeable. She sticks to her convictions, in a playground where rules are guidelines and rivals can easily be reduced to sacrificial lambs.
It’s a cesspit of ruthless ambition.
And the Secretary of State has to stick to her guns in her male-dominated surroundings. At the same time, she is also a wife and family woman.
Her adeptness at juggling all of her responsibilities gives her a sort of heroic attraction.
On slipping into this role, Leoni shares: “You know, it’s funny. I had ideas about a Secretary of State. I have been impressed by a few women who have held that position: Madeleine Albright and, of course, Hillary Clinton, more recently. But this is kind of like the Secretary of State soup to nuts, which is really fun. You get to see the humanity behind the decisions, the struggles and, of course, home life.”
As for how this show will be cultivating its own fans, the actress speculates: “I think that there are shows out there that will show you what happens and I think maybe we are playing a little bit more of what could. There are cynicisms and criticisms of how things actually go and we keep asking the question of our technical advisors… it’s kind of exciting to see their reactions sometimes.”
Expanding on her multi-layered character, she adds: “I guess that I immediately just loved that she has this incredibly full life and humour. She is not really sarcastic. She is earnest. I appreciated that very much. I appreciated her accomplishments. And I appreciated her point of view of the world.”
The actress does envy her character’s knack for diplomacy, though.
Sharing her thoughts on Tim Daly playing her husband Henry, she admits: “I was really excited when I heard that Tim would take this role because I think for a leading guy to be able to portray a successful man alongside a powerful woman, he has to really be willing to go into territory that we haven’t seen on TV. We just haven’t.”
Interestingly, the on-screen love transcended off-screen. The two have been romantically linked since last year.
On choosing Madam Secretary to come out of her TV hibernation, Leoni offers: “It was coming from Morgan Freeman (executive producer) through Nina Tassler at CBS and I have great respect for Nina and her taste. And with Barbara Hall (creator and executive producer) at the helm, I was beginning to wonder about all my lucky stars because it just seemed that it was this impeccable roster. Then I was given the script and by page three, I was hooked. The fact that Morgan Freeman has no problem recognising the power, glory and potential of women: in politics, in business, in entertainment and pretty much anywhere in the world. He is a great enthusiast, always looking for ways to sort of celebrate, I think, and expose just what women are accomplishing around the world.”
That said, looks like Leoni has found herself a plum role. Now that’s something to celebrate.
l Madam Secretary airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Monday, June 29 at 7.30pm.