5 Reasons (Among Many) to Watch USA's Political Animals

Political Animals' lead character Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver) appears to be strong, tough and full of confidence on the outside. But a few minutes into the USA series, viewers will learn that she's a lot more flawed and self-doubting than she looks.

"We present this woman so effective, so articulate, so passionate, so true to her moral compass and the flip side is she's much less confident in her personal life and as a mother," Weaver tells TVGuide.com. "She makes a lot of mistakes."

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Elaine is a former first lady who divorced her husband Bud Hammond (Ciaran Hinds), ran for the presidency, lost and became Secretary of State. But as much as the six-episode series follows her high-powered career and feud with government journalist Susan Berg (Carla Gugino), it also documents her family life with polar opposite sons Doug (James Wolk) and T.J. (Sebastian Stan), and kooky mother Margaret (Ellen Burstyn).
Check out our five reasons why Political Animals is a must on your summer TV schedule.

1. Sigourney Weaver's television series debut
There's a reason that this was the series project to lure the three-time Oscar nominee to the small screen. Weaver is stellar as a tough leader who's also relatable as a recent divorcée and loving mother. And with Weaver's chops and star power comes an ensemble cast that would make even the pay cable networks drool. Recurring stars include Dan Futterman stars as Susan's editor and boyfriend, Adrian Pasdar plays the president, and Dylan Baker and Roger Bart recur as members of his cabinet.

2. The Hammond family is not the Clintons.
Bud's a former president and a well-known philanderer, and his wife, Elaine, ran for the Oval Office, lost and is now Secretary of State. Sound familiar? Well that's where the similarities end. "[The characters] are very human and it's that interplay between the public and private, successful and dysfunctional that's going to make people want to see this," Weaver says. The complicated relationship between Elaine and her now ex-husband is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes it the Hammonds' problems. Among the family's struggles: drugs, eating disorders and suicide attempts, to name a few. (Not to mention light-hearted bickering.)

Watch the eccentric family below: