TV

Julia Ormond casts a spell on ‘Witches’

In Lifetime’s “Witches of East End,” premiering tonight at 10 p.m., Julia Ormond stars as Joanna Beauchamp, a witch with two daughters, a wacky sister and an evil clone. The role is a far cry from her “Mad Men” character, French femme fatale Marie Calvet. The Emmy-winning British actress talked to The Post about going from serious to supernatural:

Q: How is it going from “Mad Men” to “Witches of East End”?

A: It’s definitely different. I love the fact that the tone is fun and saucy. It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything that has action in it. There’s a challenge in doing something that’s more comedic in tone, even though she’s somewhat the straight character within that.

Q: What drew you to this role?

A: I’m a single mom and I have a daughter, and I was brought up by a single mom and I have a sister. So, the whole thing is about a single mom with two girls. We weren’t living at home at 30, but the story definitely resonated with me. And I love the fact that it’s a story about women being challenged. It’s not highbrow, it should be easy watching.

Q: Are those white contacts you’re wearing during parts of the pilot?

A: Oh yes, you mean for evil Joanna. I find it helps to wear those contact lenses. The contact lenses change my vision. I can’t see in the same way and so it makes me feel different. It gives a bit of definition to evil Joanna and the other Joanna.

Q: Can you tell me how you were cast on “Mad Men”?

A: I bumped into Matt Weiner at an event, and I am a huge fan of “Mad Men.” There was a bit of begging.

Q: Any plans for Halloween?

A: We [Ormond and her 9-year-old daughter, Sophia] are still in discussion as what we’re going as. I’m not a big fan of dressing up dogs, but she very much wants to. I like the idea of making a costume where we’re riding animals like the fake-legged animals in “Labyrinth.” Zombies has also come up, too, and wolves.