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Nothing 'Missing' in Ashley Judd's return to series work By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it Suggest to Ashley Judd that her latest character is right in her wheelhouse, and she won't disagree. After playing heroines- against-all-odds in such movies as "Kiss the Girls," "Double Jeopardy" and "High Crimes," the former "Sisters" regular is proud to say she's doing her own stunts for her televi- sion return in the ABC action-drama series "Miss- ing," premiering Thursday, March 15. Judd stars as Becca Winstone, whose son (Nick Eversman) vanishes 10 years after he saw his CIA agent father (played by Sean Bean) apparently killed. She also was an intelligence operative, and she calls those skills back into play as her search takes her across Europe. "This was a really good fit for me," Judd says of filming "Missing" on loca- tion. "It was only 10 epi- sodes, which allowed me to stay really involved with the balance of my life. It has the power of a network behind it, and the premise is simple and unforgettable. The producers made quite an impression on me, and as I look back on our sea- son and the remarkable places where we filmed, what continues to stand out for me are the people ... the quality of the rela- tionships, and how much I enjoyed all my co-workers." Still, Judd wasn't sure about doing "Missing" at first, though being over- seas is something she's used to; she and husband Dario Franchitti — the two- time Indianapolis 500-win- ning race driver — main- tain a home in Scotland. "As much as I like to travel, I also really like to be home," she notes. "I started to feel a little con- cerned about the length of the commitment, and a friend of mine sighed, 'Oh, my gosh. Europe in the summer? How bad can it be?' And that took me out of my concern." As did actually going to the locations. "We started with two weeks in Croatia," Judd reports, "which is a country of which I'd heard but had never visited. It delivered absolutely ev- erything that the tourism brochures promise. I could walk from our hotel, which was carved into the side of a cliff, to the seaside villa. I thought the first pool I swam in was magnificent, until I swam in the next pool. Then we moved on to places like Rome and Prague and Paris and Istanbul. It was quite an adventure." That description also applies to the plot of "Miss- ing," since in the course of seeking her son, Becca is reunited with people from her past. Often not happily. "There's something of the reluctant hero in a lot of my characters," Judd reasons. "A common theme that I've played, and that audiences have enjoyed over the years, is that these women are pitched into extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. And yet each of them is able to rise to the occasion and kind of act out a wish fulfillment. "The writers would begin developing every episode of 'Missing' by asking, 'Where are we emotion- ally? What is happening in the hearts and souls of our characters?' Becca is con- fronted with an old lover and old enemies she has to ingratiate herself with, in order to procure their help again, and all of it is really intense. I think her arc will be satisfying to audiences." Judd also wanted a project that would satisfy her, particularly in one of her first acting jobs (along with last year's movie "Dolphin Tale") after receiving her master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. Additionally, "Missing" had to suit the other elements of her life. "I flew from Prague to the Indianapolis 500," she recalls, "and I followed my husband's racing very closely while filming. I wasn't able to go back to North America to attend all of his races, but I certainly was there when I really needed to be. We and the entire racing world lost a great hero in Dan Wheldon (who died in an on-the- track accident in October), so I was really glad I was there when it mattered." With filming completed on ABC's initial order for "Missing," the daughter of country music's Naomi Judd — and sister of singer Wynonna — is proceeding with her many other activities, including her philanthropy for such organizations as YouthAIDS and the International Center for Research on Women. "I do enjoy a full life," she confirms, "and I be- lieve I can do it all. I can't necessarily do it all at the same time, and that's the thing (former) Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has taught me. I enjoyed my time as a really busy working actor, then I made some significant life chang- es and wanted to travel the world doing international human-rights and feminine- social-justice work full time. "Graduate school was a fond dream I had nurtured, and I'm really excited that I gave myself that gift. I'm going back to continue my studies, possibly for a Ph.D. And my book (last year's 'All That Is Bitter and Sweet') coming out was a really precious experience, being able to share what I've experienced all over the world." Catch the Craze & Save! Save on Rentals • Breakfast Get Free Glass Cleaner Save on a Quilt Find these great savings plus more on Coupon Craze! In The Goshen News every Monday, Online everyday! Nobody covers your hometown better 114 S. Main St., Goshen 574-533-2151 www.goshennews.com Employment Ad Today! Over 3,500 resumes are posted on monster.com in The Goshen News readership areas. 574-533-2151 ext. 398 goshennews.com / O Express nspection just il Change I Plus a FREE Prices vary by model. Plus tax & fees. Coupon must be presented at write up and cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 3/31/12. $2995 . 2200 BYPASS RD. • ELKHART, IN 46514 574.522.4475www.GurleyLeepHonda.com "Missing" premieres Thursday on ABC. 2 The Goshen News • Viewer's Choice • Saturday, March 10-Friday, March 16, 2012 Nobody Knows Our Hometown Better! Place Your

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