ELEMENTARY Star Lucy Liu Visits CBS SUNDAY MORNING, 5/7

ELEMENTARY star Lucy Liu opened up to CBS SUNDAY MORNING's Mo Rocca about acting, her childhood in New York City and motherhood in an interview to be broadcast Sunday, May 7 (9:00 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. In the popular CBS drama, a modern spin on "Sherlock Holmes," Liu plays Watson to Jonny Lee Miller's Holmes. It's a much quieter role than some of her other work, which is a nice change, she tells Rocca.

Liu grew up in Queens, N.Y., the daughter of parents who emigrated from China. She hid her dream of acting from her family, but when she went off to the University of Michigan, she auditioned for a production of "Alice in Wonderland." She landed the lead role.

"It was shocking, I thought there was a mistake, a big mistake," Liu says. "I kept following the name to my character. And I was in shock. Growing up as somebody who was from another country, really, you know, not what you see on television. I never saw myself in the forefront, ever. You know, we were always in the background."

She parlayed that first role into a career that now spans television and movies. She's starred in the TV series "Ally McBeal" and such films as "Kill Bill," "Payback" and "Charlie's Angels."

Liu talks with Rocca about her work in front of and behind the camera, directing episodes of ELEMENTARY. She also talks about the impact that becoming a mother 19 months ago via a surrogate has had on her life. Liu says that earlier in life she dismissed the idea of having a family, but then changed her mind.

"I think it was the fact that my family had such a strong work ethic growing up, so I never really stopped to think that that's something that could help balance my life, you know," Liu tells Rocca. "And, in fact, you know, my life has changed. I don't want to say dramatically since he's - now here, and with me, but my life has opened up in a way I never thought it could. Because the colors are just more rich, they're more bold. I don't know, I feel so loved, you know, and in all directions I feel incredibly lucky."

CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM ET) on the CBS Television Network. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.

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