Felicity Huffman Reflects on Bringing Her Own Mothering Experiences to Her Role in ‘Otherhood’ (Exclusive)

Felicity Huffman's public life has been largely consumed in recent months by the ongoing legal drama surrounding her involvement in the college admissions scandal. 

However, before that story broke in March, the celebrated actress had just wrapped production on her upcoming film, Otherhood, and ET was on the set and spoke with Huffman about her role in the project, and her opinions on the challenges of being a mom.

"You know motherhood, I think more than fatherhood, is one of those jobs that if you do well you work yourself right out of a job," said Huffman, who shares two daughters -- Sophia, 19 and Georgia, 17 -- with husband William H. Macy. "Because they don't need you anymore -- and they shouldn't."

"If you do it badly and you've damaged your kids enough they're going to need you your whole life," Huffman added at the time.

In Otherhood, Huffman and co-stars Angela Bassett and Patricia Arquette play empty nester moms who feel somewhat forgotten when Mother's Day rolls around. So, together, the trio embark on a fun road trip to visit and reconnect with their adult sons.

The subject of motherhood and the role of parents in the lives of their children as they head off to face the real world was an especially precinct topic for Huffman.

Eight months after ET spoke with the actress, she became embroiled in the high-profile admissions scandal that brought the law down on her and 50 others, including fellow actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli.

According to the lengthy indictment ET obtained in March, Huffman allegedly paid $15,000 to help get her eldest daughter, Sofia, into an elite college by cheating on the SAT. 

Huffman formally pleaded guilty for her part in a massive college admissions scam during a tearful court appearance back in May. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13. According to the The Los Angeles Times, prosecutors will likely recommend a sentence at the low end of guidelines that call for four to 10 months in prison based on Huffman's plea deal and federal sentencing mandates, but Huffman's attorneys have a right to argue for an even lower sentence. It is possible that Huffman will get electronic monitoring and not actual prison time.

Meanwhile, Huffman's Otherhood co-stars recently spoke with ET during a press day for the film, and they vocally supported the actress amid her legal problems.

"Well, I left her a message because I do think she's -- I mean, I haven't spoken to her, but I feel that she's sincerely truly sorry and feels she made a humongous mistake," Arquette told ET's Nischelle Turner. "I think she dealt with it the best way that you can deal with it, but I know she's probably carrying a lot of shame and guilt and all that stuff."

"I think she's handling it like a grown-up person. She's handling it like a grown woman," Bassett added. "It's a brave thing and a courageous thing."

Check out the video below to hear more. Huffman's upcoming film Otherhood hits select theaters and Netflix on Aug. 2.

Felicity Huffman’s ‘Otherhood’ Co-Stars Rally Around Her Amid College Admissions Scandal

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