Tea’ Leoni is getting political for a new drama which will see the actress play the Secretary of State (a position held by Hilary Clinton between 2009 and 2013) in a new series by Homeland producer Barbara Hall.

Madam Secretary centres on the personal and professional life of a maverick female secretary of state (Leoni) as she drives international diplomacy, wrangles office politics and balances a complex family life.  Private Practice star Tim Daly has been cast to play Leoni’s on-screen husband.

Leoni plays Elizabeth Faulkner McGill,  a teacher turned secretary of state who is described as striking in every way and full of passion for everything she does.

Along with co-producing (with Morgan Freeman), Barbara Hall will pen the pilot script.

Madam Secretary marks Leoni’s return to scripted television since 1998 when her comedy series The Naked Truth ended it’s 3 year run.