Behind the Scenes: The Good Wife

After seven years, one of the best series on television comes to an end tonight. The show had an aura of class and elegance and thoughtfulness at every level, with complex, interestingly flawed characters, including outstanding recurring and guest stars, and fascinating up-to-the-minute legal issues. The design of the show was critical, and John Hanlon’s excellent interview with set decorator Beth Kushnick shows how much thought and wisdom about the characters went into every detail.

After the apartment was complete. I had a lot of pieces planned but the actual physical dressing of the apartment literally took place over a weekend right before we started shooting the first episode. It was one of those moments where it was just me and my crew for two days.

You’re building a set from the ground up so you start with an empty studio and every little item from switch plates to flooring to drapery to greenery and fabrics and furniture has to be put in there.

Here’s a look behind the scenes with star Julianna Margulies, Matt Czuchry, Cush Jumbo (a very surprising accent!), and the creators of the show, from a tribute at Tribeca.