McNally Sagal Talks ‘Secrets and Lies’ Season 2 [Exclusive Interview]

McNally Sagal is no stranger to the small screen.

She has appeared on shows like Criminal Minds and The X-Files, and is perhaps best known for her role on Sons of Anarchy. Sagal also recently guest starred on Scandal as NSA General Diane Peters.

Now, she plays May Stone on ABC’s hit drama, Secrets and Lies.

I recently had the chance to ask Sagal a few questions about her role, what we can expect from this season of Secrets and Lies, and the biggest challenge of her career.

Tell-Tale TV: Secrets and Lies Season 2 brings a whole new case. What made you want to be a part of the show?

McNally Sagal: I had worked with Adam Arkin, one of the executive producers of Secrets and Lies, on Sons of Anarchy. He is an actor himself and that informs his directing. He is wonderful to work with, and I wanted to work with him again.

Tell-Tale TV: What was your reaction when you first read the script for this season of Secrets and Lies?

Sagal: I was very excited! I think it is a really fun ride. Juliette Lewis and Michael Ealy are so great. I was thrilled to be able to play Michael’s character’s executive secretary because I knew I was going to have juicy inside information!

Tell-Tale TV: What is your favorite thing about your character, May Stone?

Sagal: May is extremely loyal. My character would jump in front of a bus for her boss. She has worked for the family for twenty-five years, first as Terry O’Quinn’s secretary and now for Michael Ealy’s character as well. The executive assistant always knows everything that is going on in the office.

Tell-Tale TV: Is there anything you can tease about what the audience can expect from this season?

Sagal: Well, yeah. Twists and turns like you would not believe. You won’t want to miss a single episode as the action is very fast and furious.

Tell-Tale TV: You’ve been acting for quite some time, and you’ve had roles on everything from drama and sci-fi to comedy. Do you have a favorite genre to work on?

Sagal: I love to work, and one of the best things about what I do is that I rarely know what is coming next. I have been so lucky to be able to do this, and raise my three kids, and be a full-time mom…until I say, “See you soon kids, dinner is in the fridge, I gotta go stop a flying saucer!”

Tell-Tale TV: What would you say has been the biggest challenge of your career?

Sagal: I was a member of the Groundling’s Sunday Show here in LA. And then I wrote a two-person comedy sketch show with my friend, Steve Burrows, called The Steven Sagal Show. A talent scout from Saturday Night Live came to see it and brought me to NYC to audition for the show.

It went very well, and I was told that I would likely be a mid-season replacement cast member. I then prepared for my life and career to be changed, and then it did not come through. It was a pretty big challenge to take that disappointment and just get up and go to the next audition.

Tell-Tale TV: Based on your experience, how would you say television has evolved over the past several years?

Sagal: I am amazed at the fantastic quality of so many shows on television. I’ve had some deeply moving experiences watching TV lately that are so far and above what I experience at the movies. Why leave home?

Tell-Tale TV: When you have the opportunity, what kinds of things do you like to watch on television? Do you have a current favorite show?

Sagal: I absolutely LOVED Stranger Things…binge-watched it in one sitting. Can’t wait for Season 2!

Be sure to catch McNally Sagal as May Stone on Secrets and Lies, airing Sundays at 9/8c on ABC. You can also follow her on Twitter at @McNallySagal.

Featured image credit: Bader Howar