TCA press tour: Margo Martindale goes from murder to mirth on CBS - Los Angeles Times
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TCA press tour: Margo Martindale goes from murder to mirth on CBS

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Actors Michael Socha and Sophie Lowe speak onstage during the “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton and Chloe Bennet speak onstage during the “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Lorraine Bruce, Matt Long, Luis Antonio Ramos, Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Anastasia Phillips speak onstage during the “Lucky 7” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Henry Thomas, James Cromwell, Stuart Townsend and Hannah Ware speak onstage during the “Betrayal” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Writer/executive producer Adam F. Goldberg, actors Jeff Garlin and Wendi McLendon-Covey speak onstage during the “The Goldbergs” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors James Caan, Maggie Lawson and Griffin Gluck speak onstage during the “Back in the Game” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Host Cedric the Entertainer and executive producer Rich Sirop speak onstage during the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actress Lauren Ash, writer-actress Rebel Wilson, actors Liza Lapira, and Kevin Bishop speak onstage during the “Super Fun Night” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Executive producer Conan O’Brien speaks onstage during the “Super Fun Night” panel discussion at the Disney/ABC Television Group portion of the Television Critics Assn. Summer Press Tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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“Game of Thrones” actors Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington attend the 29th Television Critics Assn. Awards.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Producer Mark Burnett, center, speaks at the 29th Television Critics Assn. Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Comedians Key & Peele attend the 29th Annual Television Critics Association Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Jessica Lange, left, of the FX series “American Horror Story: Coven” takes part in a panel discussion with fellow cast member Sarah Paulson during the TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Kathy Bates, left, and Angela Bassett of the FX series “American Horror Story: Coven” crack up during the TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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“Sons of Anarchy” creator and executive producer Kurt Sutter, left, and actor Charlie Hunnam on a TCA tour panel at the Beverly Hilton.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito discuss “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on a TCA tour panel at the Beverly Hilton.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Sarah, 9, a contestant on the Fox show “Master Chef Junior,” makes fun of judge/executive producer Gordon Ramsay during a panel discussion at the Beverly Hilton.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Actors Demian Bichir and Diane Kruger speak about “The Bridge” in a panel discussion during the summer TCA tour in Beverly Hills.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Andre Braugher, left, and Andy Samberg, cast members in the Fox series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” take part in a panel discussion at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Stephanie Beatriz, left, Terry Crews, and Melissa Fumero discuss “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Seth Meyers, co-creator, writer and actor of “The Awesomes,” enjoys a light moment during the Hulu presentation.  (Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Hulu)
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Orlando Jones and Nicole Beharie look alive during the “Sleepy Hollow” panel discussion for Fox.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Cast members Michael Sheen, left, and Lizzy Caplan participate in “Masters of Sex” panel for Showtime.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Robbie Amell, left, and Peyton List are in the moment during “The Tomorrow People” panel for the CW.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Jon “Jersey” Goldman of “Behind the Mask.”  (Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Hulu)
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Actors Megan Follows, Torrance Coombs, Adelaide Kane, Toby Regbo, and executive producer Laurie McCarthy speak onstage during the “Reign” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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(front row L-R) Actors Madeleine Mantock, Mark Pellegrino, Robbie Amell, Peyton List, Luke Mitchell and Aaron Yoo, (back row L-R) executive producers Greg Berlanti, Julie Plec and Phil Klemmer speak onstage.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady, Aisha Tyler and Colin Mochrie attend the “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” breakfast buffet.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan and Caitlin Fitzgerald are the stars of “Masters of Sex” on Showtime.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Robbie Amell and Peyton List discuss “The Tomorrow People.”  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
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Actors Phoebe Tonkin and Charles Michael Davis during “The Originals” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Adelaide Kane and Toby Regbo are the stars of “Reign” on the CW.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actress Alyson Hannigan arrives at the CBS, CW and Showtime TCA party.   (Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)
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Actress Rachel Bilson at the CW, CBS and Showtime 2013 Summer TCA Party.  (Jason Kempin / Getty Images)
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Actress Arielle Kebbel at the CW, CBS and Showtime 2013 summer TCA party.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
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Actress Kat Dennings at the CW, CBS and Showtime 2013 summer TCA party.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
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TV personality Tyra Banks at the CW, CBS and Showtime 2013 summer TCA party.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
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Actress Lisa Kudrow at the CW, CBS and Showtime 2013 summer TCA party.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
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Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Rupert Friend are the stars of “Homeland” on Showtime.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
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Executive producer Chuck Lorre, actresses Anna Faris and Allison Janney participate in the “Mom” panel.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
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Creator/executive producer Robert King, actress Julianna Margulies and creator/executive producer Michelle King discuss “The Good Wife” on CBS.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Host/executive producer Arsenio Hall during “The Arsenio Hall Show” panel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams discuss “The Crazy Ones” on CBS.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Creator Rob Greenberg, left, and actor Kal Penn take part in the “We Are Men” panel discussion.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Jerry O’Connell, left, and Tony Shalhoub are the stars of “We Are Men.”  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Toni Collette, left, and Dylan McDermott participate in the “Hostages” panel.   (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Will Arnett, left, Margo Martindale and JB Smoove discuss “The Millers” on CBS.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Beau Bridges, left, and Will Arnett, right, speak onstage during “The Millers” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Producer-host Carson Daly, left, and coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green speak during “The Voice” panel discussion at the NBC portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Back row, from left, executive producers Ken Sanzel, Teri Weinberg and Ron West and (front row) and actors Blair Underwood and Spencer Grammer during the “Ironside” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Lauren Graham, left, and Mae Whitman arrive at the NBCUniversal’s “2013 Summer TCA Tour” at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  (Valerie Macon / Getty Images)
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(Back row, from left) Actors Max Burkholder, Sam Jaeger, Erika Christensen, Dax Shepard, Joy Bryant, Mae Whitman and (front row, from left) and Executive Producer Jason Katims, and actors Monica Potter, Peter Krause, Lauren Graham and Craig T. Nelson during the “Parenthood” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Producer Jesse Prupas and investigative writer Colin McLaren during “JFK: The Smoking Gun” panel discussion.  (Angela Weiss / Getty Images for REELZ)
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TV personalities Delores Hughes, left, Michael Kittrell, Dee Dee Peters and Paul Conlon of “Hollywood Hillbillies” at the ReelzChannel presentation.  (Angela Weiss / Getty Images for REELZ)
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TV personality Lou Fratto during “The Capones” panel discussion at the ReelzChannel presentation.  (Angela Weiss / Getty Images for REELZ)
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Producer Jonathan Koch, left, TV personalities Staci Richter, Dominic Capone, Dawn Capone, Bartolomeo Tumbarello, Carmine Perelli, Madeline Santarelli, Jeff Vercillo and Lou Fratto during “The Capones” panel discussion.  (Angela Weiss / Getty Images for REELZ)
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Actress Linda Lavin, executive producer and actor Sean Hayes and actress Megan Hilty speak onstage during the “Sean Saves the World” panel discussion during the NBC portion of the 2013 summer Television Critics Assn. press tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Executive producer and actor Michael J. Fox and actress Betsy Brandt speak onstage during “The Michael J. Fox Show” panel discussion during the NBC portion of the 2013 summer Television Critics Assn. press tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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“Hit RECord on TV” host and director Joseph Gordon-Levitt, left, and “Please Like Me” star and creator Josh Thomas at Pivot’s debut panel during the summer TCA at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday.  (Dan Steinberg / Invision for Pivot / Associated Press)
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Ashley Tisdale attends the Hub Network’s TCA Red Carpet Party at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios on Friday.  (Valerie Macon / Getty Images)
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LeVar Burton and Yvette Nicole Brown attend the Hub Network’s TCA party at Universal Studios on Friday.  (Matt Sayles / Invision for the Hub / Associated Press)
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Mark Strong, left, and Lennie James participate in the “Low Winter Sun” panel discussion at the summer 2013 TCA press tour.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Eric Winter and Rachel Boston onstage for the “Witches of East End” panel discussion at the summer 2013 TCA press tour.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Madchen Amick at the “Witches of East End” panel discussion at the summer 2013 TCA press tour.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Bryan Cranston, left, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt and R.J. Mitte speak onstage during the “Breaking Bad” panel discussion at the AMC portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Assn. tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Bryan Cranston, left, and Aaron Paul speak onstage during the “Breaking Bad” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Rebecca Ferguson, a cast member in the Starz series “The White Queen,” reacts alongside fellow cast member James Frain.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Philippa Gregory, left, author and executive producer of the Starz series “The White Queen,” takes part in a panel discussion with cast members James Frain and Rebecca Ferguson.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Sean “Diddy” Combs of the new network Revolt TV talks with reporters.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Actress Tia Mowry-Hardrict speaks onstage during the Viacom TCA summer 2013 presentation.   (Mark Davis / Getty Images for Viacom)
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Larry David, writer and cast member of the HBO film “Clear History,” makes a point during HBO’s Television Critics Assn. panel at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Writer-actor Larry David, left, and director Greg Mottola speak during the “Clear History” panel discussion at the HBO portion of the Television Critics Assn. tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Mike Tyson, left, whose one-man stage show is chronicled by director Spike Lee in “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” mugs with Lee backstage.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Spike Lee, left, director of “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” shares a laugh with Tyson onstage during HBO’s panel at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Director Stephen Frears, left, writer Shawn Slovo and actors Christopher Plummer and Benjamin Walker held a panel discussion on “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” during the HBO presentation.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Christopher Plummer, left, with Benjamin Walker, makes a point during the “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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James Toback, director-producer-subject of the HBO documentary “Seduced and Abandoned,” takes part in a panel discussion during HBO’s presentation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.  (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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The “Surviving Evil With Charisma Carpenter” presentation for Investigation Discovery consisted of survivor-host Charisma Carpenter, left, survivors Teri Jendusa-Nicolai and Lisa McVey and and producer Pamela Deutsch.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Prince Lorenzo de’ Medici, left, Prince Alexander Romanoff, the honorable Oliver Plunkett and Lord Robert Walters speak onstage at the “Secret Princes” panel discussion during the TLC Network presentation.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Jeremy Brandt of “Jobs That Bite” on National Geographic Channel brought a friend to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Michelle Trachtenberg and Rob Lowe of “Killing Kennedy” on National Geographic Channel.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Andie MacDowell and Dylan Neal were on hand for “Cedar Cove.”  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Keith Olbermann, left, with Vice President Jamie Horowitz, speaks during the ESPN presentation. Olbermann recently agreed to return to the sports network.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Patrick Dempsey of “Racing LeMans” on Velocity.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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“Raising Whitley’s” Kym Whitley and her son, Joshua Kaleb Whitley, took part in the OWN Oprah Winfrey Network presentation.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actress Jenna-Louise Coleman speaks onstage at the “Doctor Who” panel discussion during the BBC America portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actor Matt Smith at the “Doctor Who” panel discussion.   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actor David Bradley at the “An Adventure In Space And Time” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actresses Olivia Colman, left, and Jodie Whittaker at the “Broadchurch” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
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Actors Mark Addy and Jemima Rooper at the “Atlantis” panel discussion.  (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
By Greg Braxton
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Veteran character actress Margo Martindale in the last several years has played spies, murderers and folks who live on the dark side.

But in a varied career that includes a lot of theater work and film as well as several TV shows, her dream has always been to star in a comedy series.

“I always wanted to be on a sitcom,” Martindale said. “I just started killing people along the way.”

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VIDEO: Summer 2013 TV preview

The 62-year-old actress has finally gotten her wish. She stars in CBS’ “The Millers,” about a recently divorced local news reporter who is looking forward to living the single life again but is thrown a curve when his parents’ marital problems derail his plans for a freewheeling bachelorhood.

The mom (Martindale) moves in with him, while the father (Beau Bridges) moves in with the reporter’s sister.

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The show finally puts Martindale up front and center in a lead role. The veteran actress has been a mainstay on several FX dramas, including “The Riches” and “The Americans,” and she won an supporting actress for drama Emmy for “Justified,” where she played the leader of a outlaw Appalachian family.

PHOTOS: Hollywood Backlot moments

That role changed Martindale’s life. “I now get to turn down jobs. That didn’t happen before. “

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But she pointed out that she’s been a working actress since she was 16, when she started on the stage.

“I’ve been working all along,” she said with a smile. “You just haven’t noticed me.”

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TCA Press Tour: The scene

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Underwood’s “Ironside” can have sex (that’s how he rolls)

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Television
Greg Braxton

A lifelong Los Angeles resident, Greg Braxton has written for the Los Angeles Times for more than three decades. He currently is a staff writer covering television for the Calendar section, and has also written extensively about trends and cultural issues in the entertainment field.

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