After spending so many years as a successful actor, Doris Roberts seemed to develop a sort of sixth sense to determine which shows were destined for success.

As one of the stars of the popular sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, Roberts became America’s mother during her time playing Marie Barone. But during an interview, Roberts revealed that she knew that the show was bound for greatness.

“I had a feeling we had something special when we did the original pilot,” said Roberts during an interview with Knight Ridder. “For one thing, the writing was so smashingly good.”

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The chemistry between actors also worked for the benefit of the series. Though the Barone family was often at each other’s throats, the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond got along like a real family. “We like each other so much,” said Roberts. “It’s really unlike anything I’ve ever done before. We’ll often go to someone’s house to do an extra rehearsal on the weekend.”

Roberts was particularly complimentary toward her on-screen son, played by Ray Romano. “Some stand-up comics can’t act, but Raymond can,” said Roberts. “All of Raymond’s instincts are pure and honest.”

The feeling seemed to be mutual; during the special Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion, series creator Phil Rosenthal admitted that his own intuition led him to Roberts during the audition process.

“No one came close to Doris Roberts,” said Rosenthal. “She was what was in my head and in my life, and so beyond even.”