If viewers didn't find grifters somewhat like-able they'd never root for them to win. So it was a no-brainer for producers to cast the extremely like-able Jeri Ryan ('Shark', 'Star Trek: Voyager') as dynamic and duplicitous Tara Cole, who last summer joined the band of double-crossers led by Timothy Hutton on 'Leverage.' The TNT drama returns (for what are being called 'winter episodes') starting Wed., Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. ET.

AOL TV chatted with the captivating Ryan about why Tara is so much fun to play, her many lawyer roles (including one on Law & Order: SVU that was difficult to play) and what kind of role she'd like to tackle next.