ANGIE HARMON

The Rizzoli & Isles star returns to TV in the first installment of her new movie series, Buried in Barstow (June 4 on Lifetime). Harmon, 49, who also co-produces, plays Hazel King, a single mom who left Las Vegas and her job as a hired assassin to safely raise her newborn daughter. Now, nearly two decades later, the past catches up with her as she’s pulled back into her old life.

You hadn’t acted since Rizzoli & Isles. What drew you back? The most attractive thing about Buried in Barstow was it’s about a mother’s love for her child and how far we will go to protect them: as far as we can get away with.

Barstow is about halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Why did Hazel build her diner there? I think [in the movie] Barstow is like a starting-over ground zero for people. Everybody there is hiding something. Everybody has something they’re ashamed of. And they’re just trying to get back on their feet and build a new life, but also stay under the radar.

Hazel is on the opposite side of the law than Jane Rizzoli. I loved that she’s slightly unpleasant. But that’s her. When it begins, you’re thinking, God, what’s her problem? And then as the story builds, you start to see why she is the way she is.

What did you enjoy about the six years you spent on Rizzoli & Isles? I enjoyed to the absolute hilt playing Jane. She was such a fun character, and she was a haven for me. When we lost [Rizzoli & Isles actor] Lee Thompson Young [to suicide] and I went through a divorce [from Jason Sehorn], Jane was a safe place; I could disappear into her and get through the day. I will always, always be thankful for Jane Rizzoli.

Law & Order, the TV franchise on which you played Assistant District Attorney Abbie Carmichael, has returned. Have you watched it? I’m a single mom of three teenage girls. So sitting down in front of the TV at night is not really part of my schedule.