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Actress Swoosie Kurtz takes on a scary role in the otherworldly ABC comedy ''Pushing Daisies.''

Swoosie Kurtz may not be the star of the much buzzed about ABC comedy, "Pushing Daisies," premiering Oct. 3. But that works for her.

"I kind of love it because it's like you're not carrying the whole thing on your shoulders," she said. "I feel like I might have some time off. It's kind of wonderful. I love it because it's such a rich part."

The part is Lily, a retired synchronized swimmer and the reclusive aunt of Chuck, a dead girl who is brought back to life by Ned. Ned, of course, is a pie maker with the odd ability to bring the dead back to life – at least until he touches them a second time. While it might sound strange, "Pushing Daisies" might be the most highly anticipated show of the new fall season.

"For me, it's always been about the woman on the page," Kurtz said about the role. "Is it someone I've never played? Can I bring her to life? Can I make her special? Does it scare me? And all of those questions were [answered] yes."

Oh, and there's one more thing about the role: Kurtz has to wear an eye patch, an accessory which tends to play all kinds of tricks on her depth perception.

"Once I put the eye patch on, I have none," she said. "I have to be lead around by the hand through the cables and through the set. Yeah, lots of ramifications with the eye patch on. It's very strange."

In spite of scads of film and television credits (including guest shots on ABC's "Lost" and Showtime's "Huff") Kurtz is probably best known for her work on Broadway, having won two Tony Awards. Her first one came as Gwen in "Fifth of July" and the second in a revival of "The House of Blue Leaves."

Which makes her just one more in a group of Broadway actors in "Pushing Daisies," the cast of which includes well-known theater vets Ellen Greene and Kristin Chenowith.

"With theatre people I find there's just no drama," she said. "It's about the work. The work is hard enough. You don't want to go in and make problems."

Kurtz is also enjoying working with popular movie director Barry Sonnenfeld, who is one of the show's executive producers. Sonnenfeld also directed the pilot and is scheduled to direct several future episodes.

"Barry's great," said Kurtz. "He says, ‘Talk, just don't do that. Don't do that. What you're doing now, don't do that.' I love it. Because you do all your work at home and then you forget it all and it just simplifies everything."

While Kurtz noted that there are significantly more men acting in television programs than women, she said it's getting better. And having a strong supporting role in a good program is still worth a great deal.

"I can soar with this one," Kurtz said.