Having A Ball Playing Lucy

Actress Rachel York Plays Lucy Ball In New Television Movie

(CBS)  Actress Rachel York will be filling some big shoes in her first starring television role.

This Sunday, she brings the life of legendary comedienne and television star Lucille Ball to the small screen in the CBS drama, "Lucy."

The television movie is based on the true story of the celebrated, complex, passionate and tumultuous relationship between Lucille Ball (York) and Desi Arnaz (Danny Pino).

"Lucy" also takes a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of one of television's most beloved shows, "I Love Lucy."

York says this is the first movie that tells Ball's ambitions in life from a young age. York picks up the role from age 22. She describes playing the part as a journey that leads into the real passionate love story of Ball and Arnaz.

To research her part, York says that she read and viewed everything about Lucy Ball. However, York says she walked a fine line of performing and imitating Ball.

The actress says she hopes the audience learns something they didn't know about Ball and Arnaz.

York recently completed a national tour of "Kiss Me, Kate." Her theater credits include "City of Angels," "Les Miserables," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Little Me" and "Victor/Victoria" on-Broadway and "Putting it Together," "Where's Dick?" "Lost in the Stars," "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" and "A Minor Incident" off-Broadway.

Her film credits include "Billy Bathgate" and "Dead Center." York's television credits include "Diagnosis Murder" on the Network, as well as "Frasier," "Reba," "Spin City," Arli$$," "The Naked Truth," "L.A. Law" and the television movies "Second Honeymoon" on the Network, "Taking the Heat" and "Au Pair II."