Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis now spends far more time raising her three young children than acting.
So it’s notable she flew to Atlanta late last year to shoot A&E’s “Coma.” The four-hour TV miniseries, airing tonight and Tuesday evening, also features other accomplished actors: Richard Dreyfuss, James Woods and Ellen Burstyn.
Davis, 56, plays the head of psychiatry at the fictional Peach Tree Memorial Hospital, where patients land in comas at an inordinately high rate.
Her character may or may not be part of an appalling conspiracy.
A young medical student (Lauren Ambrose from HBO’s “Six Feet Under”) works with a surgical resident (Steven Pasquale from FX’s “Rescue Me”) to unravel the mystery.
“I’ve gotten really spoiled by having some great parts,” Davis said in a phone interview, citing such films as “Thelma & Louise,” “League of Their Own” and “The Accidental Tourist,” for which she won an Academy Award. “So I tend to take my time trying to find someone interesting to play. I have the luxury to do that.
“You know I’ve run out of money when you see me playing a kidnapped mother,” joked Davis, married to a plastic surgeon, Reza Jarrahy. (They have three children: twin boys, 8, and a daughter, 10.)
“Coma” was co-produced by Ridley Scott, who directed 1991′s acclaimed “Thelma & Louise,” starring Davis and Susan Sarandon. “The chance to do something again with Ridley was a huge factor. I liked the story and the character, too.”
Plus, she enjoyed the 1978 film version of “Coma,” starring Michael Douglas and based on the best-selling Robin Cook novel.
“There’s this visually arresting image of the hanging bodies,” she recalled. “I couldn’t get that out of my mind. It’s great to play a character with dubious morals.”
And Davis thinks viewers are still intrigued by the “Coma” storyline. “We are never quite sure we can trust medicine. What are they not telling us? It plays on our primal fears and our fear of authority.”
This version brings the story to present-day Atlanta, and was the first time Davis has shot here. “I loved it. I know it sounds cliche, but everyone is so nice and sweet. One of the drivers gave me some pecans from his yard.”
By choice, Davis’ future work schedule isn’t crowded. She said she has a cameo in an upcoming film starring Lake Bell. And she’s also planning to do a spoof video on the “Funny or Die” website, featuring her archery skills --- Davis’ previous significant link to Atlanta.
“It was because of the [1996] Olympics in Atlanta that I took up archery,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful, dramatic sport. I wondered if I could be good at that.” It led Davis to try out three years later for the U.S. women’s archery team that would compete in the 2000 Summer Games in Australia. While she didn’t make the squad, the actress placed 24th of 300 competitors.
“I was like --- oh, my god, I’m 43 and I find myself at the Olympic trials!”
TV Preview
“Coma”
9-11 p.m. today and Tuesday, A&E.
Rodney Ho discusses radio and TV on his blog: ajc.com/go/radiotv.
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