Three years previously, [Kyle Secor] had auditioned to play the love interest on [Geena Davis]' short-lived eponymous sitcom and, he said bluntly, "I tanked in the room. I just sucked. It was awful and I walked out of there and I thought, `I will never work with that woman again.' "

Though much of the focus of "Commander" has been on Davis' character negotiating the rough political and personal waters of an inaugural female presidency, Secor is in an equally unique position playing Rod Allen. Allen is forced to give up his job as his former VP wife's chief of staff and attend to traditional "first lady" duties.

Rod Allen, on the other hand, is familiar to him. "I get someone who is supportive of their partner. Someone who is really ambitious and proactive and talented in their own right yet can completely be there for their spouse. I get that," said Secor, who is married to actress Kari Coleman.