Glenn Close rejects bribe, discusses new season of 'Damages'

Tuesday June 26, 2012 6:49 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Getty Images | Glenn Close as Patty Hewes in "Damages"
Nominated: Outstanding lead actress in a drama series

Glenn Close plays high-powered lawyer Patty Hewes to nefarious extremes on "Damages," but despite her character's involvement in a potential bribe or two, the northern Westchester resident only laughed when I jokingly unfurled a $5 bill at today’s junket in an attempt to uncover a huge spoiler about the series' fifth and final season. 

"As Patty, she might figure out a way to get Abe into her pocket, but as a lowly actor, I don't dare," Close said.

She did, however, tease that her co-star, Rose Byrne, who plays her on-screen rival, Ellen Parsons, might be more easily persuaded.

“Try it on Rose,” Close said with a laugh, while lounging in a suite at The Plaza Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Close spoke in more general terms about how excited she is for the final season of the legal drama, which returns July 11 on DirecTV’s Audience Network.

“I think it’s as good as the pilot, and that’s saying a lot, because I think the pilot was really brilliant writing,” she said.

Since the beginning of the series, Patty and Ellen’s dysfunctional dynamic in and out of the courtroom has only grown in its intensity.

“I think it is a very fascinating psychological battle between Ellen and Patty, because they go up against each other in this big case,” Close said. “And it, really, for me is kind of a culmination of Patty’s manipulative brilliance. So, I’m really happy with the way it ended. I think, also, our audience will love it, because besides that dynamic, you find much more about Rose’s family background, and you find out, finally, what has been motivating Patty all these years -- what made her who she is.”

Might that involve Patty’s father, to be played by M. Emmet Walsh? “Yeah,” she said.

And I didn’t need Abraham Lincoln’s help for that bit of insight.

If you need to play catch-up, and see a few bloopers as a bonus, Season 4 DVDs of “Damages” are in stores as of today.

More on my exclusive interview with Close will be posted on Newsday Westchester in the near future, so stay tuned.

Tags: Damages , Glenn Close , TV , Westchester