Memphis native Virginia Williams plays tight ass managing partner Lauren Reed on the USA Network’s new show “Fairly Legal.”
Williams’ character is the polar opposite of her daughter in-law Kate Reed, played by Sarah Shahi. The two are attorneys in a San Francisco law firm established by Kate’s late father Teddy.
Kate Reed is a mediator who is personable, fun loving and free spirited while Lauren Reed is reserved, humorless and is generally viewed as being incapable of running the firm.
Williams does a fantastic job of playing Lauren, a woman who is a lot more complex than what meets the eye.
While she comes off as a frugal-minded attorney that’s intent on keeping her late husband’s law firm in good standing, she shows signs of vulnerability.
Lauren is initially portrayed as a woman who lacks courage, but in the past two episodes she’s shown signs of standing up for herself.
Prior to her role in Fairly Legal, Williams is perhaps best known for roles on “Monarch Cove,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Honeymoon with Mom” and “Strangers with Candy.”
Williams has guest-starred or recurred in more than 25 television programs, including “Two and a Half Men,” “Better Off Ted,” “Veronica Mars” and “Cold Case.”
Prior to her work on television, Williams began her career in soap operas, playing in “One Life to Live” (as Lorna) and “As the World Turns” (as Brandy).
Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Performance from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and studied Shakespeare at both Oxford University and the British American Drama Academy in London.
Like all of the USA Network shows, Fairly Legal is centered around a cast of likable characters. If you haven’t given it a look, new episodes air on Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. central time.
Actually, Lauren Reed is Kate’s mother-in-law.
Thanks for pointing that out.