Lifetime is known for dramas that feature strong female characters. The network adds to its lineup with AGAINST THE WALL. It's the story of Abby Kolwalski, a young cop who defies her police officer father and three brothers to become an internal affairs detective. Abby is played by Australian newcomer Rachel Carpani and her parents are played TV veterans Treat Williams and Kathy Baker.

For Carpani this is her first lead role. She read the part late in the process but was instantly drawn to it. "I read for the role of Abby quite late in the game…and I just leapt on it…started calling people and saying 'What do I have to do to get a tape down for this role? She's me.' Well she's me but cuter, has better hair and can shoot a gun," Carpani said.

Rachael Carpani stars as Abby Kowalski in the new Lifetime Original Series AGAINST THE WALL.
Photo Credit: Ben Mark Holzberg / 2011 Lifetime Entertainment Services.

Of course getting the part meant working on her American accent. "It's been something that I have worked on for quite a few years," Carpani said. "Luckily a lot of television in Australia growing up is American TV, so I felt like I was surrounded by it."

Creator Annie Brunner partially based the story on her own family's life. She wanted to see a show with a good mother/daughter relationship that reminded her of her own mother. That relationship was one of Baker's favorite things about the script. "I just felt that the relationship between the mother and daughter was so wonderful," Baker said. "Annie has done me the honor of writing amazing things between me and my daughter."

For Carpani it was the restrictions in Abby's life that attracted her to the series. "I liked watching this woman stumble and fall and have to wear her flaws on the outside...struggle against these rules and regulations that were put on her," she said.

The series' drama doesn't only come from Abby's family, as she also has a complicated love life. Carpani thinks being surrounded by three brothers and her father has made Abby cautious, and she's waiting for someone who can measure up to the example they've set.

James Thomas and Steve Byers in AGAINST THE WALL as Abby Kowalski's brothers, Donnie and Steve.
Photo Credit: Ben Mark Holzberg / 2011 Lifetime Entertainment Services.

As Abby's parents, Williams and Baker have an instant chemistry, though they have never worked together. "The minute we walked on set, I just felt like I was home," Williams said. "We approach our work the same way, we both love what we do, being on set with Kathy is just a joy. It's one of those things where you don't really want to mess with it, because it works and it's perfect."

In AGAINST THE WALL, Treat Williams and Kathy Baker portray Abby Kowalski's parents, Don and Sheila.
Photo Credit: Ben Mark Holzberg / 2011 Lifetime Entertainment Services.

Williams has also become a mentor to the actors who play his children. "Treat is amazing with all the young actors on set," Baker said. "He has them in his trailer, they hang out, they talk, and they watch movies."

In upcoming episodes Abby will deal with her complicated love life when an old friend re-enters her life and an internal affairs investigation into one of her brothers that arcs over the first three episodes.

AGAINST THE WALL bows tonight, July 31, 2011 at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Get ready for the premiere by watching a preview, embedded below:

Stephanie Holland is a pop culture junkie, award winning journalist and proud nerd who also writes about the latest entertainment news with a geek slant for Inscaped.com.