And the crises continue for Julia Louis-­Dreyfus on new season of Veep

Born into a billionaire's family and having amassed her own personal fortune of more than US$200 million (Dh734.6m) thanks to her role in Seinfeld and other acting gigs, Julia Louis-­Dreyfus is not the sort of slacker who would quit her job if she won the lottery.

As viewers and fans, we are so very grateful that this comic virtuoso – daughter of the American businessman Gérard Louis-Dreyfus (net worth $3.4 billion) – has chosen to flaunt her work ethic with such vigour and élan as she puts Washington politics through the wringer anew in the fourth season of her HBO comedy Veep, which returns tonight on OSN First Comedy HD.

Veep has been good to Louis-­Dreyfus. She has won three consecutive comedy-acting Emmys for her portrayal of Selina Meyer, formerly the United States vice president who has now risen to the office of president. If the manic first episode of the new season is any indication, her winning streak should follow her into the White House.

Sworn in as president in last season’s finale after her predecessor stepped down to care for his sick wife, Selina’s chaotic and confused existence is now a tornado of demands and interruptions. Even as she awkwardly prepares to give her first major speech, she’s also running for election to try to hang on to her shiny new Oval Office. Now try to imagine just how many ways a teleprompter can go wrong during a live national televised address – and you’ve got a disaster in the making, indeed.

“Definitely it’s great to have a woman in the White House, although I’m not sure this is the woman you want in the White House,” says Louis-Dreyfus. “Do I think Selina Meyer’s up to the gig? Absolutely not. Selina Meyer was a terrible vice president and is a terrible president – and is a terrible person, by the way … except I love her in my heart.”

Armando Iannucci, the Scottish show-runner and creator of the series – which is an American adaptation of his hit British political comedy The Thick of It – adds: "So we go into season four, really, with her almost annoyed that she's president because it doesn't give her enough time to campaign."

Her annoyance is brilliantly portrayed in scenes of rapid-fire dialogue that zing with tension and satirical overbite, further showcasing the improv and acting skills that 54-year-old Louis- Dreyfus honed during her stint on Saturday Night Live from 1982 to '85, and during nine seasons as the unlucky-in-love serial dater Elaine Benes on Seinfeld (from 1989 to '98).

Over the course of this season’s 10 episodes, Selina and her handlers will also grapple with how to make her appear more presidential to the electorate.

“I need to show that I’m a lone, fierce she-wolf,” Meyer tells her dedicated but inept staff – communications boss Mike (Matt Walsh), fixer Amy (Anna Chlumsky) and personal aide Gary (Tony Hale) – whose blunders ripple outward with unexpected – and hilarious – consequences.

In what amounts to a casting coup, House is in the house this season, as British star Hugh Laurie takes on his first major television role since hanging up his stethoscope in 2012.

Will he be her campaign manager? Her new vice president? We're not sure, but here's a hint: "[Laurie's character] is a big hitter, a big figure who vacated the public stage for about three or four years and is now back," Iannucci told The Hollywood Reporter. "And when Selina is compared to him, she may find him a bit overshadowing because he's a good operator. He presents Selina – who's feeling vulnerable as she closes in on the election – with different options, but difficulties as well."

So what motivates Louis- Dreyfus to work so hard when money is no object?

“I would say what keeps me going professionally is having something to look forward to, and having a nice family – that’s really kept me alive professionally, to tell the truth,” she says.

Married since 1987 to her college sweetheart, and former SNL news anchor, Brad Hall, they have raised two sons, Henry and Charles.

“[I love] having something that is bigger and more important in my life than the actual show-business part. And that keeps everything nice and in perspective.”

And if you're wondering whether Selena's stay in the Oval Office will be a short one, it's worth noting that Veep has already been renewed by HBO for a fifth season to be broadcast next year.

• Veep season four begins at 11.05pm on Monday, May 4, on OSN First Comedy HD

artslife@thenational.ae