'Mad Men' kicked off Season 7 (Sundays at 10 p.m. on AMC) with some surprising guest stars, but there was one leading lady we couldn't wait to talk to about her cameo on the show. Spoiler Warning: If you have not watched 'Mad Men' Season 7, Episode 1, titled 'Time Zones,' do not read any further unless you don't mind spoilers.
Yes, the woman on the airplane chatting with Don Draper (Jon Hamm) about her deceased husband was none other than 'Party of Five' alum Neve Campbell. While flying from Los Angeles to New York, it became immediately obvious that the two had chemistry and quite a bit in common, with Don politely refusing her offer of a sleeping pill, inspiring her to go without as well.
As the cabin was dimmed, the two seemed very cozy, with Don letting her do most of the talking. She revealed she was widowed, having lost her husband to a drinking problem a year ago ('He was thirsty... he died of thirst') and that she'd had a somewhat unsuccessful trip out West, failing to spread his ashes at Pebble Beach, per his wishes, and having to go to Plan B (Disneyland!) instead. [Related: As 'Mad Men's' Final Season Takes Flight, Is Don Draper a Changed Man?]
Don became more and more enthralled with his seatmate and, even with her tragic tale, it felt like the two might get frisky under an airplane blanket or rack up some Mile High Club points together. He looked deep into her eyes, caressed her face, and let her sleep on his shoulder.
'If I was your wife, I wouldn't like this,' she said when she woke up nestled into him. 'She knows I'm a terrible husband,' Don replied, adding: 'I really thought I could do it this time.'
And then before landing, Don did the unthinkable: He completely rebuffed her advances ('I bet I could make you feel better,' she said; 'I bet you could,' Don replied), instead choosing to go 'back to work,' which was code for solo time at home.
But his actions when he was back in his glam pad, all alone, spoke volumes - this beautiful stranger and her sad story struck a chord with the ad man, who's now struggling to find his footing, both personally and professionally, and he actually seemed like he might put the bottle away for a bit. So will this new leaf stay turned over long? And will Don ever see her again to properly thank her?
Yahoo TV talked to Campbell about all of that, as well as how she got the part and how she managed to keep it under wraps since shooting this episode more than four months ago. Apparently, signing waivers and getting the Super Secrecy Speech (that's what they call it on 'Mad Men') really works.
This cameo made me so happy. What was the process like, getting the part and being there on set? Obviously, this show is known for its secrecy.It was a fun process - I just went in and auditioned. You know, I had heard a great deal about Matthew Weiner and how he was really creative in the room and had a strong voice in the audition room, so I was prepared for that and excited about it. Normally when you go into an audition, very often they don't have much to say. [Laughs.] Or anything, or any guidance at all. So it was nice. It was nice to get in there and hear his opinions about the character and get some guidance. [Related: 'Mad Men' Style Aficionados Tom & Lorenzo Pick the Show's Most Iconic Looks]
And then when it came to the rest of it on set, you know he's very, very hands-on when it comes to everything - hair, makeup, wardrobe - to the point where he's almost OCD. But I think that's also the reason he's made something so brilliant and such a wonderful show. He really cares a lot and is very diligent about making sure that everything is the way it should be.
And keeping things under wraps! We live in a time where everything is spoiled before it airs, and that never happens with this show. What is the process when you sign on? Are you signing non-disclosures? Promising them your first-born child?Oh, yeah! I did not have to give them my child yet, thank God. [Laughs.] But yes, I did have to sign a waiver, and I got the Super Secrecy Speech on my first day on set, which is what they call it. I think it's great that he's that diligent about keeping things secret because then the audience gets to just go along for the ride and enjoy it, as opposed to hearing about everything that happens before it happens and not being surprised in any way.
Did you and Jon Hamm get to meet before you started shooting?No, when I got the part and I got to set, that's when I met Jon. [Related: 'Mad Men' Creator Matthew Weiner Hints at Season 7 'Consequences']
But it was such an intimate scene between them! Obviously, they're all busy making the show, so I get it, but you all really seemed so comfortable together, like you'd been hanging out a while.Well, Jon is amazing. He's such a talented actor, and obviously he has that role down. He has created a fantastic character, and he doesn't waver from it in any way. It's very solid. And he's also very generous on set. They've been doing this for a long time, and sometimes when you go on as a guest on a series, you can feel that it's the seventh year or the eleventh year and everybody's bored and they're not interested. But you really feel passion from everybody involved [on 'Mad Men'], from the crew, hair, makeup, the writers, Matt, Jon... everyone still cares deeply about the show, and about making it good. So that was inspiring, and it was really lovely to work with Jon.
Were you a fan of the show before you got the part? Were you all caught up?I crammed! I had seen a lot of the first season, and then I moved to England and I was going to see a lot of theater living there for eight years. And when I came back and was told I was coming on, that's when I started watching the show again, and I definitely watched last season because I wanted to know how it would feed into what I was doing. The show's great - I was as impressed with last season as I was with the first, which is saying a lot.
How much did they tell you about who this woman was and what her purpose was, at least in this premiere episode?I didn't get a script - I just got my scenes - so that's all the information that I had. Matt and I had conversations about who we thought this woman was and what her history is, and you make up some of it in your head as well, but that's as much as I had. [Related: How Every 'Mad Men' Season Connects to a Beatles Album]
So were you aware at all that she would be this sort of catalyst for Don, causing him to re-evaluate his life? She talked about her 'thirsty' late husband, and then later in the episode, we see Don getting rid of the bottle and battling the shakes, and you kind of think, Wow, could we really see a sober Don Draper?Well, um, you're telling me what the episode is about and I haven't seen it. [Laughs.] Obviously, I'm aware of some of it, but...
Oops. See what I'm saying - spoiler alert! No, no, it's OK. [Laughs.] Listen, I think the final season of such an amazing show is going to be a big challenge for them to get right, and it feels with this premiere as though they're going in the right direction. I know that they're going to treat it with kid gloves, and they're taking that hiatus in the middle of the season in order to really focus on not disappointing the audience, so I'm just as excited to see the end.
Can you count on one hand how many people know you did this?Yep. [Laughs.] There are only a few people. I'm waiting for the calls when it airs.
And the burning question that I know you can't answer, but I still have to ask: Will we see more of you this season?[Coyly] I'm not allowed to talk about that. [Related: Check Our More 'Mad Men' Season 7 Photos]
Did you take any personal offense to the fact that this is maybe one of three women who has ever flirted with Don Draper that he didn't have sex with?[Laughs.] That is hilarious! You know, I didn't think about that till now - thank you very much! [Laughs.] Hilarious... maybe that's what makes it special.
And does this mean you're finally officially open to doing more TV now?Yeah, absolutely. This is the first time, I think, really since 'Party of Five' that I've been open to returning to television properly. When I was living in England, I went and did a bit on a series, 'The Philanthropist' for NBC, and we shot in South Africa. The reason I really wanted to do that was because it was about world issues, but that was the first time I had ever really stepped back into TV. And now... yeah, if I can find the right thing. TNT offered me something a few weeks ago - the lead on a show - and that would be a good thing if it feels like the right project. I'm not sure I want to do a procedural, you know? But if it's something quality and inspiring and different and fits into my life with my child, then absolutely. If I can find that, that would be ideal.
I'm actually developing a TV show right now, which I'm very excited about, along with my partner JJ Feild, who's on a TV show right now called 'Turn' for AMC, and we have a really great writer, and we're going to pitch it in a few weeks. I don't want to say more - I don't want the idea stolen! - but we'll see. 'Mad Men' airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on AMC.
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