‘Claws’: Carrie Preston Explains Why She Thinks Viewers Are Rooting For Polly

Carrie Preston’s Polly has easily become one of the fan-favorite characters on the new TNT crime drama series “Claws.” But why are viewers rooting for her when she’s a compulsive liar and has a criminal past?

In a recent interview with FanFest News, Preston explained why she thinks people are drawn to Polly despite her flawed personality. “I think people are surprised by her and want to see what she has up her sleeve next,” Preston told the news outlet.

“She’s an identity thief not just in the practical sense but in the metaphorical sense too. She steals people’s personalities and their voices. At least that’s how I’m choosing to play her. To delight the audience and keep them wanting more, at least that’s what I hope. It’s amusing as well as interesting to see how she’s going to get out of a situation, what tactics she’s going to employ.”

READ: Evan Daigle talks working with Niecy Nash on “Claws”

Preston added that Polly is an irrepressible woman. “She has resilience that I admire,” said the Emmy-winning actress of her character. “She’s creating a life for herself in a way that I wouldn’t use but I admire how tenacious she is about making a life for herself.”

As to why Polly had assumed different identities in the past, Preston told TV Insider: “She’s trying to reinvent herself … curating herself all the time in order to survive and create a better life for herself.”

Since not much of her backstory has been revealed yet, Polly remains a mysterious character, and that’s one of the things that attracted Preston to the role. “Well, as you’ve probably noticed from Elsbeth Tascioni (Preston’s character on ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘The Good Fight’), I like to play characters that are unpredictable and mysterious — and have one thing going on, on the surface, and a totally different thing going on underneath,” Preston told Variety.

“Polly, obviously, is no different. As matter of fact, she’s probably the most layered character that I’ve ever played. People don’t really know what to believe. She is someone who is creating a lot of fiction for herself and for the world.”

“Claws” Season 1 finale airs on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 9 p.m. EDT on TNT.