'Dallas' Scoop: Brenda Strong Reveals More Dark Shadows From Ann's Past

Courtesy of TNT

Brenda previews the intense drama to come, including her icy on-screen relationship with newcomer Judith Light.

Dallas‘ second season has only just begun, but thanks to her long-lost daughter and her blackmailing ex-husband, Ann has already suffered enough emotional damage to last a lifetime. So her troubles are over, right? Nice try; Brenda Strong tells HollywoodLife.com that Ann’s heartache has only just begun!

“Ann’s past starts to really unravel her,” Brenda tells us. “And that starts to threaten her relationship with Bobby. Cynthia Cidre, our writer, actually told me, ‘Hold onto your hat, because Ann’s going for a ride in season two.’ I’ve jokingly said I’ve never cried more on camera, and laughed off camera. It’s been quite a journey.”

A large part of Ann’s journey involves the return of Judith Light as Harris Ryland’s mother — and a major player in the original “kidnapping” of Ann’s daughter, Emma (Emma Bell.)

“She definitely had an impact on Ann as a very young woman,” Brenda says of Judith’s monster-in-law character, though she’s quick to note that the actress couldn’t be more different from her on-screen persona. “I’ve been a fan of [Judith’s] for so many years, not only as an actor, but as a human being. I’ve had such respect for her, so to be able to work with her and watch her chew the scenery was really fun.”

But if you think Harris, Judith and Emma are the only skeletons in Ann’s closet, you’re really not giving Dallas enough credit!

“There was a period of time where [Ann] didn’t have herself as together as she is now,” Brenda reveals. “She has a lot of shame about the choices she made at that time. … She was in circumstances she felt were beyond her control, and she did things she’s not proud of.”

Despite all the drama in Ann’s past — and present — there’s one thing about Brenda’s character she never wants us to forget:

“Ann is the woman we think she is; She’s the loyal wife, the guardian, the protector. She’s fiercely loyal to her husband, and very much a Ewing.”

So at least we always know which side Ann is on, which more than I can say for most of the characters on this show.

HollywoodLifers, how do you feel about Ann’s shady past? Do you think there’s still more she’s hiding from her family? Drop a comment with your theories!