Tara's story is characterized by her relationship with her alcoholic and abusive mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) and her own inner "demons".

Adina Porter as Kendra James: a booker for News Night.

Adina Porter has the title role in a cast that includes Peter Francis James, Mel Johnson Jr. and Sandra Shipley.

("Come down off the cross; we need the wood," Lyman is told by his nurse, nicely played by Adina Porter.)

Gwen Walker (Adina Porter) - Henry's wife and a housekeeper, who died in Season 2 of cancer.

Adina Porter as Lettie Mae Thornton (1 episode)

Yet "Venus," although nicely acted by a cast led by the wonderful Adina Porter, is indeed a protracted exercise in the obvious.

In the middle of the season Tara's mother, Lettie Mae, played by Adina Porter, undergoes an exorcism to rid herself of what she terms her "demons" - her addiction to alcohol.

The dysfunctional consequence: "Venus" at Yale Repertory, with the season's most ill-treated actors: Peter Francis James and Adina Porter.

Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) also returns, as does William Sanderson as Sheriff Dearborne.