Naomi Watts 'inspired' by Gretchen Carlson's story

Actress Naomi Watts says former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson's story of pushing back against powerful media executive Roger Ailes is "inspiring."

Watts plays Carlson in "The Loudest Voice," which is based on books about Ailes and Fox News.

Sienna Miller, Naomi Watts and Annabelle Wallis at the premiere of "The Loudest Voice," New York, June 24, 2019. [Photo: IC]

"It's an incredible story as a story of an abuse of power and when power is misused and how it affects everyone in the chain of command. And particularly women," said Watts. "A highly toxic misogynistic world that Gretchen was operating in and kept being told that this was her limit, this was her limit and being a smart woman - highly educated- she was wanting to push back and wanting to get what she needed out of it," said Watts.

Grechen Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit is eventually what brought down the late Roger Ailes as the head of Fox News.

Watts says she is also pleased to be working with her longtime friend Russell Crowe, who plays Ailes. "He approaches his work with great seriousness and great depth," said Watts. "When you get to be on screen with people of that level, it's very, very, very exciting. They just kind of make you raise your game. You bring your best self," said Watts.

"The Loudest Voice," a limited TV series, will begin airing on Sunday, June 30, 2019 on Showtime.

(Story includes material sourced from AP)