Cheer factor: Wheaton native drawn to flawed character in CW drama

Actress Gail O'Grady says she sometimes chooses a television project based on the story it tells, or the people involved.

Other times, as in the case of her new show, The CW's "Hellcats," it's a particular character that hooks her.

On the newly debuted drama, O'Grady plays Wanda Perkins, the good-hearted but sometimes irresponsible mother of an ambitious pre-law student at a Memphis university.

O'Grady, a former Wheaton resident and alumna of Wheaton North High School, said she couldn't resist Wanda's charms, or the character's shortcomings.

"Wanda Perkins just jumped out at me," O'Grady said. "She's stubborn, she's sassy, she's spicy. And she hasn't really grown up. She still thinks she's one of the kids."

"Hellcats" premiered on Sept. 8 and immediately earned some comparisons to "Glee" and the much-loved cheerleading flick "Bring it On." It also recalls some of the John Hughes teen movies from the 1980s.

The series focuses on Wanda's daughter, Marti (played by Disney Channel alum Aly Michalka), who joins her college's fiercely competitive cheerleading squad to receive scholarship money that will allow her to stay in school.

"Hellcats" delivers all the ingredients that The CW is known for: young, attractive performers, a high-energy pop soundtrack and plenty of delicious soap opera moments. But the presence of O'Grady's character hints that the show might explore some weightier issues, too.

The relationship between Wanda and her daughter, for example, is often tense, a result of Wanda's drunken past and refusal to take life seriously enough.

"The daughter is really the parent in the relationship, in a lot of ways," O'Grady said. "There's a strong bond between them, but it's complicated, too."

O'Grady broke into acting in the mid-1980s, taking small roles in independent and feature films. Her career on television got started with a noteworthy stint on the popular series "NYPD Blue" in 1993. She was nominated for an Emmy award three times for her performance as receptionist Donna Abandando.

Since then, O'Grady has amassed an impressive list of acting credits on television, from her recurring role as a sharp-tongued judge on "Boston Legal" to her acclaimed performance as the mother of a Philadelphia family during the turbulent 1960s in "American Dreams."

"I really like working in television because you work so long and closely with the rest of the cast that you become like a family," O'Grady said. "And there are better roles available now on television than anywhere else, including film."

Of course, working in television also means dealing with show cancellations. O'Grady said she found it particularly hard when "American Dreams," a solid critical success, was canceled after just three seasons.

"I think another year would have allowed us to really finish this family's story well," she said. "But this business has changed so much, and three years for a series can't be considered a failure. Some shows barely make it to six episodes."

O'Grady said she feels the chances are good that "Hellcats" will find an audience.

"It's such a fun show, and it's got enough going for it to get a wide audience." she said. "I'm so glad to be part of it."