The actress - who stars in forthcoming USA drama Political Animals - was told by Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner that she was too well-known for his series.
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© AMC
"We were espousing our mutual fandom," Gugino told Vulture. "I said, 'I am perfect for Mad Men'. And he said, 'You're too famous'."
The 40-year-old explained that Weiner was worried about casting recognisable faces in his AMC period drama.
"So I couldn't win," she admitted.
Gugino has recently appeared in episodes of Showtime's Californication and FX series Justified.
Political Animals begins Sunday, July 15 at 10/9c on USA.
> Roxanne Pallett: 'I never said I wanted a part in Mad Men
Watch a promo for Political Animals below:
