Familiar TV face Zoe Lister-Jones has found prime-time success on CBS’ freshman sitcom “Life in Pieces.”
In the ensemble comedy — told in minutes-long vignettes — Lister-Jones, 33, plays Jen, wife of Greg Short (Colin Hanks) and mother of their infant daughter Lark (born earlier this season). The cast also features Betsy Brandt and Thomas Sadoski as Heather and Matt — Greg’s older sister and brother — and Dianne Wiest and James Brolin as the siblings’ smothering parents, Joan and John Short.
Here, Lister-Jones talks about “Life in Pieces,” her upcoming role in HBO’s Anita Hill movie “Confirmation” and her starring part in the movie “Consumed,” directed by her husband, Daryl Wein.
You’ve done a lot of TV shows. Why does “Life in Pieces” work?
I think it’s the intersection of a lot of different elements thrown together. It’s almost impossible to have all of those puzzle pieces move into a complete puzzle, but it works on “Life in Pieces” and I think it starts with the showrunner and creator, Justin Adler, who had a unique vision to present … this family through a new lens.
You don’t have any children in real life. Is this your first “mom” role?
I think it is. What’s cool is that the idea of what a mom looks like has changed a lot, especially on TV. It’s cool to explore this stage of someone’s life, where it’s about that transition — that, “Oh my God, now I’m a mom!” feeling. I’m taking a lot of notes and generally passing the baby off to Colin Hanks.
Any hints about how the Jen/Greg storyline will evolve next season?
We’re shooting the season finale as we speak and there are some definite cliffhangers. Stay tuned — there are going to be some big changes.
Tell me about “Confirmation.”
My character is the chief legal counsel to Sen. Joe Biden (Greg Kinnear). I was nine when [the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings] were going on but I do remember it, and how important a moment it was in history, especially for my mom.
Your movie, “Consumed,” will be released digitally on March 22.
We co-wrote and co-produced it. I play a single mom in Iowa whose son falls ill, and she goes on a journey to uncover the cause of his illness and starts to learn about food and food safety. Interwoven is the story of an organic farmer (Danny Glover), and two scientists (Kunal Nayyar, Anthony Edwards) on the brink of a major biotech discovery. We’re hosting a screening on Capitol Hill March 2 with Sen. Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut. It’s exciting for us to delve into real-world issues and to be involved in a political discussion.