Ward: This Is The Hardest Job I’ve Ever Had

Sela Ward was ready to try something new when she was offered the role of Jo Danville on CSI: New York.

Several years ago, Ward gave up acting to spend more time with her kids. “The kind of roles that were available to me were the ‘uninteresting mother’ parts,” Ward told Ladies’ Home Journal. “It was so ungratifying. So I decided, Fine, I’m not into this. I want to sail away and feel great about what I’ve accomplished and really focus on my family.”

At first, Ward was happy with her decision. Eventually, however, her kids got older, and she grew restless. “I was going out of my mind not working,” she explained. “It was like wandering in a desert. I kept thinking, Who am I? What happened to my career? I hadn’t realized how much of my identity was wrapped up in what I do.”

When Melina Kanakaredes (Stella Bonasera) left CSI: NY, Ward was approached to play the team’s newest forensic investigator. The role was a drastic departure from the ‘uninteresting mother’ parts she’d been offered in the past, and Ward was excited to come on board. “I love it…but this is the hardest job I’ve ever had,” the actress revealed. “The show is all about our fascination with the different ways people can die. The other day I was in the autopsy lab doing a scene over this fake dead body and we were trying to determine what tool was used to bash his head in. One of the characters peeled the scalp back and all this goosh came out. It was done so well I couldn’t even look at it. I thought I was going to be sick.”

Ward’s new costar Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) is glad to have her on the team. “When Melina left there wasn’t a list of 15 people being considered for the job,” the actor shared. “Sela was the choice right from the start. She has such a cool approach to acting. The writers started crafting the character to what Sela was bringing to it.”

The full interview is available in the December 2010 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal. Thanks to TheChaoticBox from TalkCSI for the link!