‘GOOD’ GRIEF
Christine Baranski meets her match in feisty Audra McDonald
THE GOOD FIGHT
Sunday, 9 p.m., CBS All Access
SEASON 2 of “The Good Fight” welcomes a new character to the legal drama. Liz Reddick-Lawrence (Audra McDonald) is a Department of Justice lawyer facing a career crisis. After sending a Tweet criticizing the president, she loses her job, just as her father, Carl (Louis Gossett Jr.), dies. At his funeral, Liz is unexpectedly offered a job at the firm where he was a partner. What she brings to the table is name recognition and access to desir- able clients, including people representing Barack Obama’s interests.
The character Liz originally appeared on “The Good Wife,” the series also co-created by Robert and Michelle King. Played by Tony-winning powerhouse Audra McDonald, she is a handful — as Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart partner Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) soon finds out. McDonald, 47, hasn’t starred in a TV series since she played Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s “Private Practice” from 2007 to 2011, and spoke to The Post about her first TV appearance since singing the role of the Mother Superior in NBC’s “The Sound of Music Live.”
Liz is a complicated woman who likes to create complications. Would you agree?
Yes. I would agree. Perhaps there’s a part of her that’s a bit addicted to drama. She had a big shakeup and she’s on the offensive. She’s wondering, “What’s going to be my mark?” She’s kind of no-holds-barred.
How would you compare Liz to Dr. Naomi Bennett, the character you played on “Private Practice”?
I love Naomi very much. Liz is a different person. Naomi was happy in her life. Liz is in for more turbulence.
Does Liz Reddick-Lawrence see Diane Lockhart as a clear enemy or a potential enemy?
Liz sees Diane as someone who is equal in strength and power and Liz is trying to figure to use that to her advantage, whether in a positive way or a negative way. Diane is someone she has to handle in some way.
Liz is also working with her ex, Adrian Boseman (Delroy Lindo). What does Adrian think of that?
He doesn’t think it’s a great idea. It’s going to be tricky, but Liz is up for a challenge. She’s running toward the fire.
Are you buddies with Christine Baranski from traveling in the same Broadway circles?
We’ve known each other for a million years. I was watching a tape of the Tony Awards and I realized Christine presented me with my second Tony [as Best Featured Actress in a Play for “Master Class”]. She had on this gorgeous baby pink dress. When I reminded her she said, “Oh, darling, I forgot that one.”