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Lifetime is expanding its original scripted series roster, and that, coming from the same network that brings us every week of Drop Dead Diva is a good thing.
I had the opportunity to participate in a call conference with the lead star for the new show “Against The Wall”, Rachael Carpani, that premieres this Sunday July 31st on Lifetime, 10 PM ET/PT.
First of all… the basics:
What is Against The Wall about? Plot Synopsis
Against the Wall follows the trials and tribulations of “Abby Kowalski” (Carpani), a single Chicago police officer who finally scores her dream job as a detective; but it turns out a nightmare for her close-knit family of cops. As the newest hire in the department’s Internal Affairs division, Abby suddenly finds herself at odds with her fellow officers, including her father and three brothers. She must now figure out how she can pursue her dream of being a detective while keeping her family intact. Williams and Baker star as Abby’s parents “Don” and “Sheila.” Rounding out the cast as her brothers are Brandon Quinn (Entourage) as “Richie,” Steve Byers (Smallville) as “Steve” and James Thomas (Covert Affairs) as “Donnie.” Additionally, Marisa Ramirez (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena) stars as Abby’s partner “Lina Flores,” Daniel Kash (The Dresden Files) is her boss “Lieutenant Papadol,” Andrew Walker (Maybe It’s Me) plays Richie’s partner “Brody,” Mayko Nguyen (Lifetime’s Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy) is Abby’s neighbor “Mackie Phan” and Chris Johnson (The Vampire Diaries) appears as “Danny Mitchell,” a lawyer and old friend of Abby’s.
Who is Rachael Carpani?
Rachael Carpani is best known for her role as “Jodi Fountain” in the Australian television series McLeod’s Daughters, for which she was nominated for TV Week’s Logie Awards for both a “Silver Logie – Most Popular Actress” and the “Gold Logie – Most Popular Personality on Television.” Carpani also appeared in the feature films Hating Alison Ashley and the British film Triangle, starring Melissa George and Liam Hemsworth.
In the United States, Carpani established herself on network television with the CBS pilot Law Dogs and a lead role in the CBS series Cane. She has had a recurring role in the A&E series The Glades, as well as numerous guest-starring roles on shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles and True Blue.
Carpani is a native Australian who studied acting at Macquarie University. She also studied ballet for 10 years and is an avid surfer and equestrian. Carpani resides in Sydney, Australia.
Some of what Rachael Carpani talked about in the Q&A
Can you give us a little bit of a backstory how this part came about for you?
I did receive the script and I read it. Actually, I think I got it a little late. I was in Miami at the time and I sent a tape. I remember getting on the phone and saying to my manager, “Please, get me on it.” I thought I could have fun with it. I went out to L.A. and they were nice enough to give it to me.
What interested you the most about playing Abby?
I`m not as silly as Abby, let`s hope, anyway, but I do bump into walls. I just walk toward them from a distance, and I just walk straight into them. That is pretty much what I do. So, that I found really cute about her, that she basically has the inability to hide her flaws from the world and just attempts to cover them once they pop out.
And I love the way the dialogue was written. She`s one of those people where her mouth moves too fast for her brain, so she always ends up putting her foot in her mouth or saying something inappropriate. I thought would be quite funny.
Can you talk a little bit about Abby`s love life?
What can I say? She keeps me on my toes. That`s for sure. I think the way I`ve worked out how to play her with her inability to commit and her liking of the booty call is basically she`s grown up with these amazing men, who she greatly respects. And truly, I think, her father is the love of her life. And, I think, deep down she knows that no man can really measure up to him just yet. So, I think, she`s reluctant to give any of them a go in that way in a relationship. So I think [the booty call] is where she feels safe — just having fun at this point.
What do you think about this? Will you watch Against The Wall on Lifetime Sundays 10PM? Let me know in the comments section.
Also, remember to follow me on Twitter for more Against the Wall scoop.
My husband and I love Against the Wall , and look forward to Sundays at 10:00 . Can’t wait for the new season!!!
I love Against the wall. I look so forward to watching it on Sunday nights. I don’t get into to many new shows, but I love that one.