For the fifth-season cast, Ryan Phillippe initially wasn't overly interested in doing "Damages", but on a phone call with producers he changed his mind after being told his character was modeled after Julian Assange, with whom Phillippe was fascinated. Jenna Elfman followed in the steps of other well-known comic actors by playing against-type on "Damages" as Naomi Walling, the victim in a lawsuit. She enthusiastically signed on for the opportunity to "play the types of scenes I haven't yet had the opportunity to play". Janet McTeer became close friends with Glenn Close while working on the film "Albert Nobbs" (2011), and Close worked with producers to offer her a key role as Kate Franklin, a recent empty nester returning to law.