TORONTO – The new Lifetime series Devious Maids takes viewers inside the mansions of Beverly Hills where humble domestic workers serve the rich and famous.
The show, created by Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), is based on the Mexican series Ellas son la Alegría del Hogar and counts Housewives star Eva Longoria among its executive producers. The series debuts June 23 at 10 p.m.
Stars Susan Lucci (All My Children) and Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), sat down with GlobalNews.ca in Toronto to talk about why Devious Maids is must-see summer TV.
I’m assuming that when you see Marc Cherry’s name attached to a show your reaction is: “Sign me up!”
Susan Lucci: That’s how I felt. Exactly.
Ana Ortiz: I think so, yeah, and the fact that it was based on this really wonderful novella that is super popular. I thought, yeah, sign me up.
SL: Exactly. And when I read the script I thought yes, Marc Cherry is worthy of his reputation. It’s brilliant.
How important was it for you, Susan, to introduce people to a different kind of character?
SL: I welcomed the opportunity. I was thrilled to have this chance to play this new character. I just loved having the chance to do comedy…
AO: She’s going to knock your socks off how funny she is. It’s really exciting to watch. I’ve always seen her as this incredible dramatic actress and then to see her so free and so fun and so unabashedly going for it, it’s fabulous.
SL: Erica Kane had her funny moment so I had a little bit of a taste of it. Marc created an atmosphere where you could be free. He’s present on the set and he has a vision. If he gave you an acting note after watching rehearsal it was always the most spectacular, informative, right-on, delicious note. You were encouraged to really take a chance.
AO: It’s such a wonderful ensemble. It’s a big cast. The actors are so fabulous so when you’re in a scene with Tom Irwin or Rebecca Wisocky or Judy Reyes the bar is raised really high so you just got to go for it.
SL: That’s the fun of it. You’re working with such terrific people. The atmosphere was joyous.
Why do you think audiences love these types of shows so much? Is it because we get to see people living lives so different from our own?
SL: Certainly it’s great fun to have an opportunity to take a peek inside some of those homes that we drive by.
AO: That’s what’s so interesting and wonderful about this show is that we’ve got both. So you are on the outside looking in but it’s through our eyes as the maids. It’s this really wonderful juxtaposition. You’re seeing these beautiful houses and glamourous lives but it’s our point of view so you’re also seeing the other side of it and how we all come together and co-exist.
SL: Exactly, and how dependant we are on each other, too. And you are having some of your stereotypes shattered.
Do you, Ana, feel a responsibility to portray domestic workers in a way that’s fair?
AO: I mean, being Latina that’s just part of the gig. I definitely do. Most of the women in my family were domestic workers and they have great pride in that and the fact that they were able to put us all through college and give us a better life. These are Latin women so yeah, they may be cleaning your house but let me tell you, their lives are full and rich and exciting and funny and sexy and crazy – and I feel so excited that we get to bring it to the screen. I don’t see why success is determined by the fact that you’re a lawyer or a doctor. You can have plenty of success and be a domestic worker.
SL: And on the other hand, the homeowners can have plenty of outwardly success and maybe if you look beyond what you think is so perfect – these are human beings. It’s full of surprises. Every character certainly has issues but they’re human beings and we get to peek at all of that. What fun to see the reality of it.
Devious Maids is on Lifetime so it’s aimed at a female audience – but will husbands and boyfriends want to watch as well?
SL: You better believe it. There are some incredibly well realized male characters on the show too. I screened the pilot for friends of ours. The women all got our dinner and sat close to the screen and the men were at the back. We thought they were going to maybe play cards or talk sports – the show began and there was not a word said except the men were saying “this is really good. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
AO: Guys will definitely love it.
Devious Maids debuts June 23 on Lifetime, which is owned by Shaw Media, parent company of Global News. This story was originally posted June 6.
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