carter's appearance in "filthy rich" paved the way for her most notable role, that of sharp-tongued liberal interior decorator julia sugarbaker in the 1986–93 television program "designing women", set in atlanta. "filthy rich" was created by linda bloodworth thomason, who also created "designing women". (in the beginning, without knowing the content of the show, bloodworth-thomason's only idea was to create a show starring carter, and fellow cast mates delta burke, annie potts, and jean smart. "filthy rich" also featured fellow "designing women" cast member delta burke in its cast.) after much persuasion from creators linda bloodworth-thomason and her husband harry thomason, hal holbrook, carter's real-life husband, had a recurring role as attorney reese watson. carter's daughters ginna and mary dixie carter also had guest-star roles as julia sugarbaker's nieces jennifer and camilla in the episode "the naked truth" in 1989.