If you ever want something, you only need to be as brave as Irene Ryan to go and take it for yourself.

It seems illogical that anyone but Ryan could play the character of Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies, but according to an interview with The Marshall News Messenger, Ryan wasn’t even considered for the role when the series was first being developed.

“About a year ago, my agent mentioned he’d suggested me for it,” said Ryan. “But the casting department thought I was too young. You’re always too young or too old, too fat or too thin. Then I learned that Paul Henning wrote it.”

Watch The Beverly Hillbillies on MeTV!

Weeknights at 9 PM, Saturdays at 6 & 6:30 AM, Sundays at 2 & 2:30 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

Ryan and Henning had previously worked together, so the actor was able to set up a meeting with the television creator himself.

“I went to his office, chatted for a few moments, and he handed me a script of Hillbillies to read. It was what I’d gone there for but hadn’t mentioned the fact. When I read it, I knew it was for me and said so.” Ryan’s precociousness won her an audition and, eventually, the role. “Three weeks went by before he [Henning] called me to say, ‘How are you, Granny?’” said Ryan.

Ryan said that Henning was “a genius.” While Henning was a master of television production, he was also rather particular about the way his new series was being promoted. Such caution served the series well.

“He’s been right on everything so far,” said Ryan. “An example is publicity. He didn’t want too much put out about the show, didn’t want it oversold, and had all his people photographed in character.”