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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Getting a fix on "The Fixer"

ABC apparently noticed the success of recent cable shows with strong women as leads. The network has ordered a script about the most powerful woman in New York — The Fixer. Russell Gewirtz, who wrote Inside Man, will write and produce the pilot. The show’s lead character was inspired in part by Madeline White, Jodie Foster’s character in Inside Man.

Although Madeline’s character was not fleshed out in the movie, we know that she was in the business of cleaning up image problems for her clients — at any cost. Foster even described Madeline as a “fixer figure” in an interview for Inside Man. Gewirtz says that the woman at the center of The Fixer is “a single mother who is very clever, influential and powerful.” And, like Madeline White, she is morally ambiguous. No word on sexual orientation, but given the character profile, I'm not sure we want her to be the network's first leading lesbian.

The important question for us, of course, is who will play The Fixer? Stepping into a role associated with Jodie will be no picnic (just ask Julianne Moore), so the actress needs some powerful acting chops to make it her own. The first person to come to mind, unfortunately, is already headed to another ABC show.

Can’t you just see Dana Delany as a smart, sexy, manipulative power broker? She could even wear that suit she almost took off when her Senator Grisham seduced Bette. Excuse me; I need a moment.

Another TV powerhouse we haven’t seen enough lately is Sela Ward.

She seems to be available. If only she were available to me.

Perhaps ABC will try to woo a film star to the small screen to join Kyra Sedgwick, Glenn Close and Holly Hunter. I know this one’s a long shot, but just think ... Halle.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a woman of color in this role? Sure, Berry is pregnant, but maybe she’ll be ready to work by the time The Fixer starts shooting.

Or how about the actress (and LGBT advocate) who plays smart, sexy and manipulative like she invented it?


Sharon Stone

And because I think she’s incredibly hot and I’d love to see her every week:


Diane Lane

Who else? Who would you like to see play The Fixer?

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  • SummerSun's picture

    The Fixer

    Why, Lucy Lawless, of course. SS
    fallon ash's picture

    Lucy Lawless!

    Or Gillian Anderson! Shouldn't she be heading towards LA for that X-Files movie anyway?
    captainsam's picture

    A short list

    Joan Allen

    Rosamund Pike (too young?)

    Vera Farmiga

    Lena fucking Olin

    Also, I second Lucy Lawless.

    Celurean Sky's picture

    Lena Olin

    I have to agree, she'd be great! Her eyes sometimes as cold as clumps of coal...she could send shivers down anyone's spine.
    ajoliefanatic21's picture

    yes and yes

    I will third Lena Olin, hottest MILF ever (Alias), well not ever, Angie wins that..

    and i second Vera Farmiga! I love the Departed and she only added to the greatness, + provided a major hot factor.

    AndroBard's picture

    Clea DuVall

    Maybe for a side character, Clea DuVall could be in it.

    I like Lucy Lawless too. xP

    And, of course, I have to throw in Alyssa Milano, even though she is going to be on My Name Is Earl for awhile. I love her too much to not mention her xP

    Rebecca's picture

    Joan Allen and others

    I second Joan Allen -- the combo of icy looks, aloof manner, and a killer smile!

    Christine Lahti, mostly because she hasn't done much lately and I adore her.

    Julianna Marguiles (sp?), but she's having a baby, so she's probably a little bit busy ;-) and she might be too young in energy?

    Too bad about Dana Delaney, because she was so great in Kidnapped. She really surprised me -- the level of intensity she managed to get across in very short scenes, and her ability to turn on a dime. I'd definitely second her.

    Meryl Streep

    I guess my biggest wish is that they don't cast a too-young woman or someone whose had obvious work done. Hard to take a person seriously when they're so concerned about a few creases.

     

    Keph's picture

    Lawless

    definitely would be interesting if Lucy would do that role.  of course Foster is pretty hard to follow but if anyone can do the "i don't fear you" Madeline White style. seeing Lucy on tv again each week would be ....fabulous. i don't know if I read somewhere that Lucy was not really interested in doing another syndicated show like XWP, i might be wrong and we can certainly have our hope!
    anyway, other than Lawless, i would watch it if it's Sela Ward or Diane Lane.
    hm...wonder how Renee O'Connor would be as Madeline White, that certainly will be different from what we'v seen her in.
    Keph
    stormy's picture

    There are so many

    There are so many that could offer an interpretive "strong" character.  Diane Lane would be a feast to watch, but I would also suggest Sigourney Weaver or Geena Davis.
    Vee's picture

    Danish Beauty

    I vote for Connie Nielsen :)

     

     

    You might have recently seen her in Law & Order SVU while Mariska Hargitay was on maternity leave.

     

    The woman is amazing, fluent in Danish, German, English, Swedish, French and Italian. Accents are teh sex.

     

    Here's another picture to jog your memory lol

     

    Sharon Stone *dies*

    That woman made me realize I was dyke. She has sex appeal pouring out of her pores and she looks hotter with age.

    BijouxIce's picture

    Strong, authoritative woman...

    Hmm.  If we're dipping into the Xena pool, how about Hudson Leick?  I think she could play ruthless and authoritative without the insane angle.  And I'd love to see her in a business suit.Hudson Leick

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In case you've forgotten what Hudson looks like when she's NOT in Callisto costume. 

    I was also thinking of Gina Torres.  She would be pretty close to perfect in that role.

    "Never explain, never complain." - Katherine Hepburn

    Nik Vicious's picture

    Oh God...

    Please not Halle.  She is incapable of playing a strong character.  In fact, she takes strong characters and makes them weak (let's not forget her as Storm in X-Men.  Awful).   If we're going to have a woman of color, let's get Angela Bassett.  Now that's a strong woman.

    "Today has never happened, and it doesn't frighten me." -Bjork