At Ian's callback audition for "Colin Mitchell" in CBS' Madam Secretary, casting director Mark Saks told Ian to perform his emotional role to executive producer (actor) Eric Stoltz - meaning Eric would be Colin's wife.. It was a stretch, but luckily Ian got the part.
The opportunity (the audition) is the cake. Anything beyond that is simply the icing (the callback, the booking, the paycheck, the residuals, the nomination, the award...). Needless to say, the more icing there is, the sweeter it is, but I'm more than willing to take my icingless cake and eat it too.