Finally out on DVD is the series 'Ally McBeal,' which ran on the FOX network from 1997 to 2002. The show starred Calista Flockhart in the title role as a young lawyer working in a fictional Boston law firm with other young lawyers whose lives and loves were eccentric, humorous and dramatic.

Among the supporting cast were Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski, Peter MacNicol, Vonda Shepard, and Lisa Nicole Carson.

Carson was a rising starlet in the mid-'90s, appearing in 'Jason's Lyric,' 'Devil in a Blue Dress' and 'Love Jones' before settling in on two highly successful television shows.

The Brooklyn native played Ally's friend and fellow defense attorney Renée Raddick from 1997 to 2002 (seasons 1–4) and made a guest appearance in the series finale. She also played Carla Reece, the on-again-off-again girlfriend of Eriq La Salle's Dr. Peter Benton, in NBC's 'ER' between 1996 and 2001.

Following reports of erratic behavior on and off the set, the voluptuous actress was fired from both 'McBeal' and ER' and simply disappeared from the spotlight.

She hasn't done any films or TV shows, nor has she made any appearances at public events.

Numerous stories have been written about Carson's whereabouts, including reports that she had schizophrenia, spent time in a mental hospital and was being cared for by her family.

Emerging from seven years of publicity darkness to promote the DVD, Carson is starting to get back in the game and is taking baby steps to reestablish a once-promising career.

She spoke to Black Voices about her experience on 'McBeal' and talked about her years of solitude from the media.

Are you excited that the DVD is finally coming out?

Lisa Nicole Carson: Yes, I am. I don't have the foggiest idea why it took so long.

How much fun did you have on the show?

LNC: I had an amazing amount of fun on it. I thought it was a quality series.

At the time, you had the distinction of being on two shows at the same time, with your work on 'ER.' How did you manage both jobs?

LNC: Well, at the time, I thought it was wonderful. Everyone was cooperative as far as scheduling me. I didn't think I was under stress. I was just having a great time. Both casts were wonderful to work with. It was great to work with Eric La Salle and the gang of 'ER.' I have nothing but fond memories.

You had a steady roles in films such as 'Jason's Lyric,' 'Devil in a Blue Dress' and 'Love Jones' before you joined 'McBeal.' What was the attraction of doing a TV show?

LNC: I was thinking about good scripts during that time. I came upon David E. Kelley and became familiarized with him. I didn't see myself necessarily on a television show, but I thought his work was a standout, and it was an opportunity for me to play a strong woman and also a very intelligent and attractive woman.

How was working with Calista Flockhart?

LNC: Calista was great. I've worked with a lot of actresses on different sorts of levels, and I was very impressed by Calista. That's the truth. I thought she was a real solid actress.

Any particular episodes or memories that you recall?

LNC: There were so many. I always enjoyed it when I got a chance to sing on the show. That was a joy for me, especially having scenes with Taye Diggs and also with Vonda Shepherd and the other girls. I got satisfaction working there.

Have you kept in touch with any member from the show?

LNC: Since I've [been] missing in action for a while, no one has kept in touch with me, and I haven't kept in touch with anyone, but I have nothing but fond memories of them.

What's happened in the last few years?

LNC: I have been spending a lot of time working on myself and making sure that I'm a position to get the very best of me without any of the drama. I've been working on that, and I'm also a songwriter and singer. That was highlighted from time to time on 'Ally McBeal.' It's really a deep passion of mine. I've been working on that during this interim while I've been off.

Have you been performing anywhere?

LNC: No. I've just been writing mostly and working on my voice.

Do you feel your absence has affected your film or television career?

LNC: I've received calls throughout the years. A couple of things have come up that have piqued my curiosity. I don't know if the career abandoned me or if I abandoned the career. I think it was more like a mutual breakup. We needed a break from each other for a while. That's the best way I would describe it. Like I said before, I've spend most of the time working on myself and making sure that I'm ready to come back the way I want to.

Is it through music or acting?

LNC: I've never made a distinction between both. They are both my first and true love. I don't want one to be jealous of the other. I'm just looking for a good opportunity. I've done a lot of writing and keeping up with my acting chops. The thing that made 'ER' and 'Ally McBeal' stand out was that they were excellent opportunities but also good quality work. I'm not putting one over the other.

So many people have wondered about your whereabouts that false sightings were being reported left and right. One rumor was that you appeared in a loan commercial on television. Is that true?

LNC: No. I haven't done any commercials.

How have you worked on your acting? Are you attending classes or performing anywhere?

LNC: One of the things that I do is go to the theater a lot. I've seen everything on Broadway and some off-Broadway and I read a lot. I work on myself alone at this point. I've never had any professional training as an actress or a singer. I just seek out the things that interest me and that move me.

There have been reports on your health, such as that you were being "cared for by family." Is that the case?

LNC: No. That's completely untrue. My family...we care for each other. We all have problems and help each other out in various different ways. My family has been very supportive of me. No doubt, but I care for myself. I'm not angry about that. That's something that's out there. I love my family dearly. They've been instrumental in my life in a lot of different ways, but I'm very self-sufficient. I've spent a lot of time in New York City, although I've kept a place in L.A., and I go back and forth. I've spent some time in the South as well. I've just been all over the place. I can't give one particular place credit for my happiness right now.

Were you diagnosed with any mental illness?

LNC: I don't want to talk about that at all.

Okay, where you do go from here? Will there be an 'Ally McBeal' reunion to promote the DVD?

LNC: There's been some talk about it, but I don't know if it will come to fruition.

Since you mentioned that you see a lot of Broadway shows, is there a role you think you'd want to play if given the opportunity?

LNC: Actually, the last thing I saw, and I've seen a lot of shows, and one of the plays I performed in was 'Gypsy.' If you could believe it or not, I did it with a blond wig and went out there and did the best that I could. The role of the mama in that production has always fascinated me. Patti LuPone was wonderful in it. She played it last on Broadway. That would be a role I'd love to do.

I don't know if you are aware of it, but Tyler Perry is bringing 'For Colored Girls' to the big screen. Do you see yourself playing a part in the film?

LNC: We'll see. I have to see what Tyler Perry is looking for, and I'm sure he has an idea who he wants in the cast already. 'For Colored Girls' is a play I did in my twenties. I did a national tour of it, and I'm very close to the material. I have great memories doing that. I'm just taking baby steps back in the industry. For years, I just completely abandoned it. I didn't audition. I didn't do anything. I just worked on myself and my music and just became a regular person again. I'm seeing what's out there and hope people respond to me.

What kind of music are you working on?

LNC: I write a lot of love songs, a lot of soulful ballads. I'm a big fan of music and listen to everyone. I don't want to call anyone out specifically, but I think there's a lot of good work out there.