Blonde 5-foot-11 actress Nicole Steinwedell, who plays Bridget Sullivan on The Unit, revealed that she landed the role, which went from a guest spot to recurring to eventually a regular one on the CBS show, thanks to her gig as a math tutor.  She moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally in 2002 after obtaining a double major in history and theater from Northwestern University.  Then after three years of tutoring a teenager who lived her mom, she said she was “floored” when she found out that her father was playwright, filmmaker – and The Unit creator – David Mamet.

"Here I'd been dispensing all that wisdom about acting and the business, while her dad is a staple in the performing arts, a living legend!"

The two, Steinwedell and her student Zosia, enrolled together into the Atlantic Acting School.  Mamet had seen her during a school's showcase but it didn't get anywhere.  When Steinwedell found out that The Unit was looking to add the first female member of the special ops team, she wrote Mamet a note that said, "My grandfather was a colonel in the Army.  My parents were both Marines, my mom outranked my dad.  I can do this part. It's in my blood."

Today, she said her family watches The Unit religiously, and she regularly calls them whenever she needs advice on her scripts.  Previously, CBS said her role – Bridget Sullivan – was a strategy to attract female viewers.

Meanwhile, on the next episode of The Unit, Jonas and the team attempt to rescue Jonas' daughter, Betsy, from her kidnappers.  Back at home, Mack has a chance to carry out his revenge against Ryan for his affair with Tiffy.

The Unit stars Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Scott Foley, and Audrey Marie Anderson, among others.  Catch it on CBS tonight.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CBS, Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of CBS)