You wouldn't necessarily think that two male producers would put their heads together to come up with a new fall TV series and immediately think "infertility." But that's exactly what was on the minds of the creators of NBC's new drama, Inconceivable, which you can catch at 10pm on Fridays starting September 23. (You can also find out what real women think of the show in our parenting section.) Producers Marco Pennette and Oliver Goldstick both started families with their respective partners via surrogates, which ended up giving birth to the idea of a series set in a fertility clinic that deals with the moral, legal, religious and ethical issues that arise.
As soon as they started casting for the large ensemble ‑- which will include the newest Desperate Housewives neighbor Alfre Woodard for the first few episodes as a shrink ‑- their stars started to get in on the conception! The show's two main female leads, Ming-Na and Angie Harmon, both turned out to be pregnant. Harmon (who previously starred on Law & Order and husband Jason Sehorn had their second daughter, Avery, on June 22. Former ER star Ming-Na is currently pregnant with her second child.)
What does motherhood and stardom hold in store for them on a set filled with sets of twins and triplets? We asked Ming-Na and Angie Harmon in an interview before the show started:
What drew you to these characters?
Ming-Na: When I first read the pilot I loved it, but there was initial hesitancy because there were lab coats involved, even though my character didn't wear one [as the clinic founder]. But this was something different from all the other scripts I had read. It made me cry. And the controversy is something that I was very attracted to. You want to take risks. This is really about creating life. It's very uplifting.
Harmon: This got dropped in my lap. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant when I saw the pilot and I was completely moved and really adored it. I laughed, I cried. But I thought, "I love it because I'm pregnant and I'm just gushing with emotions right now," but I had my baby and I still liked it. Nora is brilliant and strong. She's single, from a very wealthy family in the south, which is great so I don't have to concentrate on not having my accent!
Do you know anyone who has had fertility treatments?
Ming-Na: I've had so many friends who have gone through in vitro and other methods of conceiving. An actor friend of mine had to go through surrogacy because his wife couldn't conceive, but they wanted to be able to pass down their genes. It's a very emotional roller-coaster ride, and I think this show will help to take a lot of the mystery out of what it involves.
Ming-Na, how are they working your pregnancy into the show?
Ming-Na: I wasn't pregnant when we were shooting the pilot. We did some re-shoots of the rest, and did some very creative hiding. I'm very excited about how they're incorporating it, but I can't tell you how. I won't be pregnant in the first episode.
Is it tough working in your eighth month?
Ming-Na: It's mind over matter. Fortunately my husband has been so incredible, he's a real hands-on dad. I'm very fortunate.
Do you know what you're having?
Ming-Na: Yes, but I want to keep it a secret for a little bit. I'm due in late October ‑- it might be a Halloween baby.
Having any pregnancy cravings?
Ming-Na: I've been craving spicy food.
Harmon: I had Oreos. That would explain the extra 20 pounds I gained!
Angie, How are you juggling a toddler, a new baby and a series?
Harmon: I have the most incredible, selfless, giving, just incredible husband who is very hands-on. When I was breastfeeding, he felt displaced, but now that I'm doing formula, I'll change her diaper and he'll get the formula and heat it up. Jason spends as much time with the girls as he can. We have great family members and friends who come in, too.
Can you compare your second pregnancies to your first?
Ming-Na: The first one was great. I had no nausea. This one I had nausea, my face broke out. I was very fatigued the first trimester. The second trimester has been fantastic.
Harmon: It's so much easier the second time around. The first time I was so panicky and terrified. The second, I wasn't planning to get pregnant. I had Agent Cody Banks coming out and I was off to London to do another film. Everything I'd worked for was finally unfolding and suddenly it was slamming the brakes. You do fall into the "my career is over! No one is going to hire me and I'll never lose the weight!" But every time I've gotten pregnant, my career has gotten better and better. So I hope I get twins next time!
You want more?
Harmon: I'd love to have two more. I want to have a boy. We'll see how it goes.
How are your older children handling their new siblings?
Harmon: Finley is happy to have her baby sister and she loves her and all that stuff. But she got a little miffed at me.
Ming-Na: Michaela is so excited about being a big sister. I foresee her being a little jealous in the beginning. It's very normal. They regress. I've been trying to get her to understand that she'll have new responsibilities and it will be fun, she'll get to do things that the baby can't do, that sort of stuff.
How'd you lose the baby weight?
Harmon: Chasing a toddler! I had a caesarean ‑- Avery was sideways ‑- and I haven't been able to work out. I'm just eating healthy. It's not about starving yourself or a diet of coffee and cigarettes. It's about high protein and fiber and listening to your body and being good to yourself.
