Damages Is Back

Glenn Close as Patty HewesIf you love TV then you'll love this US legal thriller starring Glenn Close and Ted Danson.

We caught up with its star Tate Donovan as the first series of Damages gets a repeat screening on Hallmark. 

Originally airing on the Beeb earlier this year (in a timeslot that was moved around more than the tennis stars on Wimbledon's rainiest days), Damages received both critical and commercial success. 

The brilliantly written yet slightly complicated plot is told through a series of flashbacks and clever flashforwards. 

We start with what appears to be the end of the series. A young lawyer, named Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) is seen running through the streets caked in blood. We soon find out that her fiance has been bludgeoned to death and she's charged with his murder. 

Flashback six months before and Ellen is a promising lawyer who's been signed up to work for ruthless attorney supremo Patty Hewes (Glenn Close). She is embroiled in a class action suit brought by a former employee of billionaire Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). 

Through a series of twists and turns that would have a rollercoaster junkie reeling, we find out the murky truth behind the case.

This is US drama at its finest but if you're not already convinced check out our interview with Tate Donovan, who plays Patty Hewes' sidekick lawyer Tom Shayes:

Tate Donovan

How's the jury service going?
I just finished but I was told that I got kept on the case cos the entire legal system in LA loves Damages. It's so funny.

Did you or any of the cast work out the mystery in advance?
None of us worked it out. There were times when they were faxing the script to the set and we would shoot different endings so we couldn't know which one the producers picked. 

Do you think your character will ever get to be 'number one' in the law firm?
I don't know. I think he finds great comfort and specific power in being number two. He could have been but he realised that Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) is a legal genius and he's not. 

Without giving too much away, will viewers have answers by the final episode?
Yeah. The great thing about it is you get the answers to all the questions that you've been worrying about. However they raise all sorts of questions - so you have to watch season 2.

What's it like working with Glenn Close?
She's far gigglier on set than you'd imagine. She's unbelievably professional and knows the scripts inside out. She's fearless and asks all the great questions.

I understand you've signed up for two more seasons.
I direct an episode in the second season which I'm really excited about.

What impact has Damages had on you?
For the first time in my life I'm approached by people I really admire. Big journalists, like Maureen Dowd from the NY Times recently grabbed me by the arm and said I'm totally obsessed with Damages. It's great!

Of all the things you've worked on, what are you most proud of?
There's a lot of films and theatre that I'm proud of. But I have to say Damages is the best TV show that I've worked on.

Is there anyone you'd particularly like to work with?
No I'm tired of working with anyone else! What did Oscar Wilde say, 'hell is other people'? (laughs) No there are so many people I'd like to work with. Cate Blanchett comes to mind. I really admire her.