Jean Smart, an actress perhaps best known for her character in Designing Women, has a recurring role on Harry's Law as tough D.A. Roseanna Remmick. In the first three episodes this season, she faced off against Harry in a sensational murder trial. This week she's back in "The Rematch," determined to beat Harry and Adam as they defend former prosecutor Josh "Puck" Peyton (guest star Paul McCrane), who stands accused of aiding and abetting a kidnapper.
Were you cast in the role of Roseanna?
Yes. I was offered for the role and I was really, really excited because I've always, always wanted to speak David Kelley's words.
But I'm just having fun because she's sort of the woman you love to hate, you know. She's so ruthless and I just find her amusing. But in this episode that's coming up Wednesday night, she actually sits down in the bar and briefly has a drink with Kathy's character which is kind of fun. And you sort of get a little tiny glimpse underneath her facade. And you kind of see a little bit what makes her tick. And I just think it's a great episode. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one.
What do you think drives your character?
I think between some of her personal issues which we get a little glimpse of, I think she really does feel like she's doing something very, very important. And in this episode she feels a little bit betrayed by someone in her own profession.
But it's true, I mean she's extreme. She's like a pit bull. It's something between jaws, you know. She'll say and do anything to get what she wants and what she needs. And I just find it funny that when we watch all these big profile, high profile trials on TV like this - O.J. Simpson and those kind of trials - for the most part it's the prosecutors that we're rooting for, you know. And we kind of tend to have some disdain for the defense team. And I just find it odd that on television almost all the time the prosecutors are the bad guys and the defense team are the good guys. At least I find that interesting.
So I'm a good guy, darn it!
What do you like about playing such a strong character like Roseanna, opposite such a strong actress like Kathy Bates?
Well, working with Kathy, first of all I've always been a fan. And I had never met her or worked with her before so I was really looking forward to that. And we have a nice relationship.
What are the biggest lessons you've learned professionally? Do you and Ms. Bates share stories about your years working as actresses?
I feel fortunate because I had not really been typecast and I've gotten to do an enormous variety of things which I'm very grateful for. Kathy and I actually have so many mutual friends but we had never met or worked together.
So it's sort of been fun. Everyone once in a while I'll walk in and I'll give her a big hug and a kiss and I'll say that's from so and so. Everybody has clients that I'm working with and say, "Please, please tell her I said hi. Tell her I - give her a hug. Give her a kiss." And it's really been old home week for her and the two of us. From New York theatre mostly.
What do you think it is about Harry's Law that has made it such a tune-in worthy show?
First of all, I have always wanted to work on a David Kelly show. So I was just thrilled because I just like the way he uses the language. And he's got a terrific cast with really interesting, really talented actors.
She's not always the most likeable person, Harry. She's kind of a grouchy curmudgeon and she, you know, smokes marijuana and she gets stressed out. And so she's not your typical hero. Maybe they brought me on to make her look nice by comparison.
Can you talk a little bit about the chemistry between Roseanna and Ollie?
Yes, there's a little friction there. It's been inferred that they had a little fling at one time. And maybe neither one of them are too proud of it. I don't know. But they sort of spar with each other a little bit about that.
I don't know if she's proud of that fact. I mean I know she's married so it may have been a - may have caught her in a extremely weak moment. But she obviously - I don't think she's attracted.
What's been your favourite character to play over the years?
Oh gosh. Well this one is right up there. It's probably so far one of the most fulfilling parts I've done since 24 definitely. Oh, you know, there's a couple comedies I've done that I could have done for a long time and loved. You know, I did a show called Style and Substance, which was truth be told sort of a "Martha Stewart" in a loving way I think. But it was one funniest things - one of my favourite characters that I ever played.
But this is going to be right up there. And Designing Women of course. I loved playing that character. I'd actually like to play that sort of character again.
Can you share some of your beauty secrets?
Oh my goodness. I don't have much of a regimen that I do. I'm always kind of horrified lately when I see myself on camera. Especially since high def film has arrived. That's been taking a huge getting used to, to put it mildly.
I have to give all the credit to hair and makeup artists that really do most of it, and to the DP, the Director of Photography. On Harry's Law he is a very bright, very energetic, extremely caring young man who always walks over and gets about three inches from your face and is inspecting you all over and holding up his hand and yelling orders to people for, you know, bring in this light, shut off that light, bring in more, you know, every year it's like more equipment for you. It's all about lighting. But I do use something religiously. It's my only thing that I always do religiously: sunscreen.
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Harry's Law airs Wednesdays at 9.00 et/pt.