Capturing a long-standing and fabulous role in Hollywood is no easy feat, but award-winning actress Linda Gray managed to do just that and, two decades later, reprise the same role that made her an international television star. Gray recently joined me for my podcast Whine At 9 to discuss her iconic role as Dallas’ Sue Ellen Ewing, the hit show that brought her international fame, and her work with the next generation of Ewings on TNT’s Dallas.

Watch Linda Gray on August 18th when Season 3 of Dallas continues on TNT.

Linda Gray captured the attention of television viewers for over a decade as the long-suffering and misunderstood Sue Ellen Ewing on CBS’ hit show Dallas (1978-1991). As the wife and ex-wife of J.R. Ewing (played by the late Larry Hagman), Sue Ellen battled more than her fair share of demons during the long-running series. Gray is grateful for the role she was given. “I felt that she (Sue Ellen) was the most interesting female character on television during the 80s because nobody knew what she was going to do or how she was going to react. And most of the time I didn’t know. As an actor I would play a scene with Larry (Hagman) and we would both be just really on our mark. It was such great chemistry that he’d throw a ball to me and I thought, ‘Wow I didn’t expect that.’ And I’d throw another one back to him. But I think that’s what kept our characters magical and energized and interesting to watch as characters.”

While the world may love to watch a train wreck of a character, Gray’s goal in portraying the plagued Sue Ellen was to highlight her vulnerability and show the other side behind her dysfunctional behavior. Providing a one-dimensional portrayal of Sue Ellen might not have hurt the show, but Gray’s multidimensional approach gave audiences a reason to cheer for and closely watch Southfork’s Mrs. J.R. Ewing.

The actress, who became close friends with co-stars Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), also directed several episodes of Dallas. She fondly recalls the juggling act of playing Sue Ellen and director. Laughs Gray, “Sometimes it was very funny because I would be in one of Sue Ellen’s great designer outfits climbing up on ladders and jumping behind the camera. The heels had to go. So I was in running shoes sitting behind the camera fully dressed as Sue Ellen from the ankles up.”

When TNT approached Gray, Duffy, and Hagman about joining the cast of the 2012 Dallas series, Gray was thrilled. “First of all when Larry and Patrick and I got the call–we received the call that we were invited back to reprise the roles that we had originated in 1978. And I was trying to think of another group of actors that had had that opportunity and I couldn’t think of anybody.” Says Gray, “It was so lovely–we got to play together. Larry, Patrick and I are like the Three Musketeers that’s what they used to call us. And we got to play together, work together and this time we all had to move to Dallas, Texas and get condominiums and get to do the role that we were kind of known for. So what could be better? It was kind of this wonderful, surreal, exciting, challenging time. And I knew that to play Sue Ellen was the most delicious of all characters and I loved her.”

Gray was pleased that the producers and writers of TNT’s version have shown that Sue Ellen, like all of us, has changed over the years. “I didn’t guide them,” says Gray,” I just said, ‘I’m open to change because I hope that in the 20 years that Sue Ellen has had a hiatus, that she’s changed.’” The actress loves where Sue Ellen has landed. Adds Gray, “I always applaud the writers. That is a huge huge legacy that they had big shoes to fill.”

When Gray’s dear friend Larry Hagman passed away in 2012, the new series had to be reworked to incorporate the sad loss. Gray credits the new team with making this happen in a functional and positive way. “They just rallied around. And I feel that it was a seamless transition. They did it beautifully; they honored him beautifully; they honored the legacy. It was a class act across the board. Everybody stepped up. And it was really amazing to me–that whole transition.”

The twists and turns of the TNT show have impressed the Dallas veteran. When she and Duffy read the scripts she says, “It’s always a surprise for us…to surprise an actor, especially us, who’ve been on the show forever–to surprise us is delicious.”

The actress who made a name for herself by brilliantly portraying a conniving, pampered, and sometimes unforgiving woman, is far from a diva. A former United Nations’ Ambassador, Gray devotes a great deal of time to supporting charities. She also has made it a point to explore many avenues of show business. “I wanted to do a little bit of everything,” says the actress and director who has performed on London’s West End (The Graduate) and in a daytime soap opera (The Bold and the Beautiful). “When you do a variety of those things, you have great respect for every craft– everybody in the industry,” notes Gray. It’s obvious that the actress is nothing at all like Sue Ellen Ewing and she’s quick to admit it. But there is one thing Linda Gray can’t deny—“It’s so much fun to play this fabulous character.”

Don’t miss Linda Gray in TNT’s Dallas. New episodes of Season 3 begin on Monday, August 18th.

Listen to Nancy’s interview with Linda Gray here, on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio.

Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, comic and entertainment analyst. The host of the showbiz podcast Whine At 9, Nancy digs a little deeper as she chats with fascinating celebrities and industry insiders. Her book College Bound and Gagged: How to Help Your Kid Get into a Great College Without Losing Your Savings, Your Relationship, or Your Mind can be seen in the feature film Admission starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.