A previous version of this story first appeared in TheWrap Magazine Fall TV issue.
“You can definitely be assured that Team Scorpion will be solving the world’s problems one episode at a time,” Katharine McPhee said of the second season of Scorpion, the CBS drama about a squad of high-tech geniuses who use advanced brainpower to tackle things like biohacking, nuclear meltdowns and arms dealing. But the 31-year-old singer-turned-actress, who first burst into the public eye in the fifth season of “American Idol” before moving to the musical drama Smash and then Scorpion, also promised viewers that a lighter tone will occasionally prevail, as will the romance between her character, single mother Paige Dineen, and Scorpion team leader Walter O’Brien (Elyes Gabel).
“It’s really silly and funny this year, more so than last year,” she said. “And I think the show’s a little bit sexier this year, if I do say so myself. They’re just taking more risks with the dynamics between the characters.”
Scorpion will be back on Monday nights, where it was last season’s top new show–holding strong with fans, she says, even when it was interrupted frequently for repeats between December and March. “We would have several reruns in a row, and then I’d get nervous before a new episode aired, thinking, ‘Oh God, no one’s going to realize there’s a new episode.’ But week in and week out, they would tune in. I was just so surprised by the awareness of people who follow our show.”
Also Read: 40 Exclusive Portraits From TheWrap's Fall TV Issue Cover Shoot (Photos)
And McPhee, who will also release her new album this fall, encountered that fandom first-hand, she said, when she went on vacation. “The best part was going to Vegas with a group of friends and realizing, ‘Wow, this is a ‘Scorpion’ town,'” she added with a laugh.
See more photos of Katharine McPhee here and complete coverage TheWrap Fall TV Issue here.
40 Exclusive Portraits From TheWrap's Fall TV Issue Cover Shoot (Photos)
-
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jack Falahee, "How to Get Away with Murder"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by John Varvatos.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jack Falahee, "How to Get Away with Murder"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by John Varvatos.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jack Falahee, "How to Get Away with Murder"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by John Varvatos.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jack Falahee, "How to Get Away with Murder"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by John Varvatos.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jussie Smollett, "Empire"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Calvin Klein.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jussie Smollett, "Empire"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Calvin Klein.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jussie Smollett, "Empire"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Calvin Klein.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Jussie Smollett, "Empire"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Calvin Klein.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Katharine McPhee, "Scorpion"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by House of CB, earrings by Zoe Chicco, rings by Michael John Jewelry and Royal Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Katharine McPhee, "Scorpion"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by House of CB, earrings by Zoe Chicco, rings by Michael John Jewelry and Royal Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Katharine McPhee, "Scorpion"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by House of CB, earrings by Zoe Chicco, rings by Michael John Jewelry and Royal Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Katharine McPhee, "Scorpion"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by House of CB, earrings by Zoe Chicco, rings by Michael John Jewelry and Royal Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Keke Palmer, "Scream Queens"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Romper by Peggy Hartanto, ring by Sylvie Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Keke Palmer, "Scream Queens"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Romper by Peggy Hartanto, ring by Sylvie Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Keke Palmer, "Scream Queens"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Romper by Peggy Hartanto, ring by Sylvie Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Keke Palmer, "Scream Queens"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Romper by Peggy Hartanto, ring by Sylvie Jewelry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Ryan Guzman, "Heroes Reborn"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Aldo.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Ryan Guzman, "Heroes Reborn"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Aldo.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Ryan Guzman, "Heroes Reborn"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Aldo.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Ryan Guzman, "Heroes Reborn"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Aldo.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Justin Baldoni, "Jane the Virgin"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Hugo Boss.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Justin Baldoni, "Jane the Virgin"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Hugo Boss.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Justin Baldoni, "Jane the Virgin"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Hugo Boss.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Justin Baldoni, "Jane the Virgin"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit by Anthony Franco, button-down by Hugo Boss.
-
Elisabeth Caren/TheWrap
Jamie Alexander, "Blindspot"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Elisabeth Caren
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Jumpsuit by VONE.
-
Elisabeth Caren/TheWrap
Jamie Alexander, "Blindspot"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Elisabeth Caren
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Jumpsuit by VONE.
-
Elisabeth Caren/TheWrap
Jamie Alexander, "Blindspot"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Elisabeth Caren
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Jumpsuit by VONE.
-
Elisabeth Caren/TheWrap
Jamie Alexander, "Blindspot"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Elisabeth Caren
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Jumpsuit by VONE.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, earrings by Suzanne Kalan, rings by Suzanne Kalan and Sylvie Collection.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, earrings by Suzanne Kalan, rings by Suzanne Kalan and Sylvie Collection.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, earrings by Suzanne Kalan, rings by Suzanne Kalan and Sylvie Collection.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, earrings by Suzanne Kalan, rings by Suzanne Kalan and Sylvie Collection.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rebecca Rittenhouse, "Blood & Oil"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, rings by Royal Jewelry, earrings by Zoe Chicco.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rebecca Rittenhouse, "Blood & Oil"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, rings by Royal Jewelry, earrings by Zoe Chicco.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rebecca Rittenhouse, "Blood & Oil"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, rings by Royal Jewelry, earrings by Zoe Chicco.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Rebecca Rittenhouse, "Blood & Oil"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Dress by LUBLU Kira Plastinina, rings by Royal Jewelry, earrings by Zoe Chicco.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Mehcad Brooks, "Supergirl"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Burberry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Mehcad Brooks, "Supergirl"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Burberry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Mehcad Brooks, "Supergirl"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Burberry.
-
Corina Marie Howell/TheWrap
Mehcad Brooks, "Supergirl"
See exclusive interviews, photos and video in complete coverage of TheWrap's Fall TV Issue
Photographed by Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Styled by Jordan Grossman. Suit and button-down by Burberry.
Jussie Smollett (”Empire“), Jack Falahee (”How to Get Away With Murder“), Katharine McPhee (”Scorpion“), Ryan Guzman (”Heroes Reborn“), Keke Palmer (”Scream Queens“), Justin Baldoni (”Jane the Virgin“), Jaimie Alexander (”Blindspot“), Rachel Bloom (”Crazy Ex Girlfriend“) Rebecca Rittenhouse (”Blood & Oil“) and Mehcad Brooks (”Supergirl“)