Tony Nominee Margo Martindale Joins Cast of CBS's THE GOOD WIFE

Emmy Award-winning actress Margo Martindale will join the critically acclaimed drama THE GOOD WIFE in a recurring role during the show's seventh season, which started production today. Martindale will play Willa Eastman, a top campaign operative responsible for past successes by underdog presidential candidates in Iowa who hides her intelligence and cunning under a fake, folksy charm.

"Every year we look for a character and an actor who can go toe-to-toe with Eli Gold and make him blink," said executive producers Robert and Michelle King. "So we were thrilled when Margo Martindale agreed to play Willa Eastman. Her ability to mix comedy and drama is unparalleled. And we can't wait to see how Margo and Alan deal with each other."

Margo Martindale's television credits include "Justified," for which she won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Mags Bennett, "The Americans," for which she has been twice nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and "The Millers," on the Network. Her feature credits include "Million Dollar Baby," "August: Osage County" and "Dead Man Walking."

Martindale received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play, for her Broadway debut performance, as Big Mama in a 2004 revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opposite Ashley Judd, Jason Patric and Ned Beatty.

In 1987, she starred in the original Off-Broadway New York stage production of Steel Magnolias, in the role of Truvy. Martindale also received a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2011 for her performance in the FX series 'Justified,' and has also booked a recurring role on the network's new period drama, 'The Americans.'

THE GOOD WIFE returns for its seventh season Sunday, Oct. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

THE GOOD WIFE stars Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski, Matt Czuchry, Alan Cumming, Zach Grenier and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It is produced by Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions in association with CBS Television Studios. Ridley Scott, Robert King, Michelle King, Brooke Kennedy, David W. Zucker, Craig Turk and Leonard Dick are executive producers.