AOL Talks To Julianna Margulies on "The Good Wife"

[JamesG]

"The Good Wife" is hot. Don't believe us? Just ask its star, Emmy winner Julianna Margulies.

Margulies, who has already nabbed a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her portrayal of Alicia Florrick on the CBS legal drama, claims tonight's episode (airing at 10PM) is the series' hottest one to date.


While promoting her new film, City Island, in which she plays Joyce Rizzo, the crass wife of Vince (Andy Garcia), Margulies saved time to talk about "The Good Wife", her career aspirations for her son and the secret to being a successful working mother.



We're huge fans of "The Good Wife" here at AOL TV.
What do you attribute to the show's runaway success?

I guess the success of it is that it's one of those shows that's quite timely, and it's the question that people always wondered: What about the wife in these situations?

It's an adult show that doesn't condescend to its audience, and I think people really appreciate that. The writing is just so good. I got a cable show; it just happens to be on network.





Was there any hesitation about returning to television after becoming a new mom?

Well, sure, you're hesitant, because it's network and if it does go, you don't know how long it's going to go for. But I felt pretty secure with the writers and knowing Ridley and Tony Scott were at the helm. They immediately let me know, if there was anything I was uncomfortable with to talk to them. I don't know. I felt pretty secure going in.

Of course I was nervous, because I've never carried a show like that on my own ... But I have such a good support team. I felt very taken care of. It's the answer to being able to be a mom and stay at home: a television show.

I get to work hard every day, but 15 minutes from my house, and I come home. No matter what, I'm there in the morning when he wakes up. For me, it was the perfect answer to a great situation.





Is there anything you can tease about the rest of the season?

I have to say tonight's episode is pretty insane. I'm really looking forward to hearing what people are going to say about it.

I haven't seen it yet -- I don't know what they cut or what they didn't cut -- but I can tell you it's the hottest episode that you'll see so far this year.



Hottest in terms of ...

The heat's on.



The heat's on in terms of the sexual tension or ... ?

Yeah!





Andy Garcia worked with his daughter on City Island.
Do you one day hope to work with your son?

No. [Laughs] Listen, whatever he wants to do, I will support wholeheartedly, but I hope he doesn't want to become an actor. [Laughs]

I think unless he really goes and studies his craft and makes it something that's incredibly respectful of himself, I hope he finds something that's a little less -- I don't know what to say. I love what I do, but it's not easy.

I think for most people it's not an easy profession and certainly a very difficult profession to break in to, so if he does want to be an actor, then at 18 he can make that choice. Until then, he's going to school. [Laughs]





Would you say you're more like Joyce or more like Alicia?

That's a really good question. I'm so not like either of them, honestly. Alicia is probably the hardest role I've ever played, because I wouldn't react the way she reacts to anything.

She really knows how to rein it in and how to think before she acts, so I'm probably more like Joyce in just the way that I'm more reactionary and emotional. But dear Lord, if I was like Joyce, I wouldn't blame my husband. [Laughs] I don't think I'm much like either of them.





What's been your favorite film role so far?

My favorite film role ... I think would be Joyce Rizzo ... But I have to say, one of my favorite jobs of all-time was when I played Morgaine from [the 2001 miniseries] "The Mists of Avalon", because I rode horses as a kid.

I couldn't believe I was getting paid to ride these unbelievable horses, and wear gorgeous gowns, and gallop and get to use my English accent. That was heaven for me.





Out of all the co-stars you've worked with, do you have a favorite?

No. I have been so lucky. I mean, how do you chose between Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia, George Clooney ... I mean, it's ridiculous.

I really am lucky, and I've gotten to work with Andy twice now. So, I truly couldn't tell you.





Is there anyone you haven't worked with yet that you'd love to someday?

Oh my God, there are so many. I don't know where to start. Really, I mean it's just silly. I would love to do something with Ricky Gervais. I really would. [Laughs]

I would love to try out some more comedy. I really would love to be able to do that. I know it's corny, but just one scene with Meryl Streep; I would take just one! Judi Dench ... And the list would go on and you'd be bored.

http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/16/j...a-working-mom/

[Schmoopie]

Great article. Thanks for sharing!