Laverne Cox: 'Frank-N-Furter role is tons of pressure'

Laverne Cox was shaking in her boots at the thought of taking on the iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter role in the remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The Emmy-nominated actress stars as the mad scientist in Fox's remake of beloved cult classic, a role made famous by British actor Tim Curry in the 1975 original.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the Television Critics Association Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Wednesday (10Aug16) Laverne shared her fears about stepping into the "Sweet Transvestite's" high heels.

"It was tons of pressure," Laverne admitted to ET. "It was the scariest thing I've ever done in my life, but it was really fun and it was really gratifying and we had such a good time.

"We loved that movie so much and I hope everyone feels the love that we have for the material and the reverence that we pay to the original film."

The Orange Is the New Black star, who joins Victoria Justice, Adam Lambert, and Christina Milian in the upcoming remake, also paid tribute to Tim, the English actor who originated the role, and has given the new version his unconditional endorsement.

The 70-year old, who is now confined to a wheelchair following a stroke in 2012, is returning for a cameo as The Criminologist, and the 32-year-old actress was full of praise for him.

"He's just so funny and witty and he has that British cheeky humour that is just everything," she smiled. "It's just a wonderful blessing to have gotten to (work with him)."

For her role as the sexually-dominant lunatic scientist, Laverne had to show quite a bit of skin and fit into some very tight leather outfits, which presented it's own challenges. The actress gave up sugar but it wasn't without a struggle and to combat temptation, Laverne who is also starring in CBS drama Doubt alongside Katherine Heigl, would ask the pregnant star to describe sugary treats to her.

"I (asked) Katie, 'Can you taste it and describe it to me please?'" she laughed. "So I am living vicariously through Katie Heigl eating for two right now."