Among the most cherished TV series of the 1990s, Ally McBeal owes much of its impact to its lead actress Calista Flockhart. Created by David E. Kelley and broadcast from 1997 to 2002, Ally McBeal introduced the world to the life of a young, newly graduated lawyer hired by her former university classmate in his law firm. Years after that career chapter ended, Calista Flockhart recalled the experience and revealed how emotionally exhausting it had been.
Calista Flockhart Recalls How Demanding the Success of Ally McBeal Was
Over the years Calista Flockhart has acted in several films and TV series, from The Things I Know About Her to the more recent Brothers & Sisters – Secrets of the Family, Supergirl and Feud. Many know that the actress is the wife of Harrison Ford, beloved since the days of Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Yet no one has forgotten her portrayal in Ally McBeal, and often what happens behind the scenes does not shine on screen and emerges only over time.
For example, Calista Flockhart, speaking to The Guardian, recalled that when she received the script for Ally McBeal she was living in New York: “I left for Los Angeles to audition and I got the part right away.” However, that choice disrupted every part of her life: she admitted it was “a difficult transition” because she was “happy and at ease” in New York, but in the end she found her balance. “Playing Ally McBeal was exciting and I was ready to face the challenge, but it was also intimidating. There was this short and beautiful period when it was just ours. I remember it very well. Then, very quickly, it became popular.”
Everything began at the Cage & Fish law firm in Boston, where Ally McBeal took her first steps. The TV series quickly found success, capturing the audience’s interest: “At the end of most shooting days, I was emotionally worn out: I was there basically all day, every day. I was completely exhausted by the roller coasters of Ally McBeal’s life and by everything I had to do to get there.” When, after five seasons, the story came to an end, Calista Flockhart recalled being happy to have reached the goal, but at the same time she found it difficult to return to normal life: “All my identity was tied to Ally McBeal for five years.” For the lead role, the actress won a Golden Globe and earned three Emmy nominations.
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