Welcome back to TV, Téa Leoni!
The Naked Truth star is headlining CBS' new drama Madam Secretary where she plays the newly appointed secretary of state. In the drama, Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst-turned-college professor who gets an offer from the president that she can't refuse.
"There was something—I adored her. I adored her by page two, there's no sarcasm to her. Sarcasm is too slow," Leoni told E! News' Kristin Dos Santos about her character. "I want to wake up and be her every day."
The show, which hails from Barbara Hall of Judging Amy fame and Morgan Freeman, follows the character as she battles office politics, international protocol and deals with issues at home and in the White House. Bebe Neuwirth, Geoffrey Arend, Patina Miller, Erich Bergen and Tim Daly also star.
"I think in a lot of ways it's inspiring to see women that we want to see. I think when I sort of set out to do this gal, I thought, ‘Who do I want in office?' That's been guiding my choices," Leoni said.
Leoni hasn't been a series regular on a TV show since The Naked Truth ended in 1998. Leoni said Madam Secretary has been tracking well with not only women, but men as well.
Next season, Madam Secretary will be paired with CBS' The Good Wife on Sundays. 60 Minutes kicks off the night at 7, Madam Secretary at 8 and The Good Wife at 9. CSI and CSI: Cyber slide into the 10 p.m. slot previously held by The Mentalist.