Earlier this week, we reported that Homeland writer Barbara Hall was developing a political drama for CBS called Madam Secretary that would center on an “maverick” Secretary of State.
The Hollywood Reporter announced that Tea Leoni has been cast in the role. With her sporty, no-nonsense appearance and intelligent demeanor, Leoni is a great choice, even though the actress is primarily known as a comedy performer (Spanglish, TV’s The Naked Truth).
The character has now been given a name (Elizabeth Faulkner McGill) and a brief background sketch (teacher turned national politician). The premise of the show — a woman balancing high-stakes issues at work and a complicated family back home — makes it a worthy complement to The Good Wife, another show about an ordinary woman who becomes extraordinary.
