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Political Animals is the story of dysfunctional Barrish clan. Their family business just happens to be politics. The mini-series is the brain child of Brothers & Sisters creator Greg Berlanti. Mr. Berlanti cast Oscar winning actress Sally Field in the lead of the last series and he follows his successful formula by casting Golden Globe winning actress Sigourney Weaver. In her first role as a series regular, Ms. Weaver stars as former first lady and current Secretary of State, Elaine Barrish Hammond.
The 62-year-old actress is joined by truly talented cast full of recognizable names and pretty new faces. Ellen Burstyn co-stars as the matriarch of the family, Margaret Barrish. She steals every scene with a quick quip and a sip of a drink. Ciarán Hinds, the Irish actor (with too many stage and screen credits to list), gives his most colorful performance as Clintonesque ex-president, Bud Hammond. Carla Gugino as a journalist with principles and Adrian Pasdar as a sitting president both raise the smart/sexy quotient of the ensemble.
This is the kind of show where every character has a secret, and this group has some juicy ones. I was hooked from the first scene and I can’t wait to see what these intelligent but broken characters do next. Every family argues in their own unique way. The family at the center of Political Animals does it in style, in the back of Secret Service chauffeured limousines. Political Animals premieres July 15 on the USA Network. We can’t wait to see what happens next.
Here is a quick preview: