Jessica Pare "had no idea" the spotlight would fall on her in the new series of Mad Men.

Jessica plays Megan, a secretary who is married to executive advertising agent Don Draper. Since her character tied the knot with the main man, played by Jon Hamm, she has stolen some of the focus away from the other stars in the hit show.

"When I signed I had no idea," she told the New York Daily News. "If I'd been in four or five episodes, with a few lines in each, I would have been very happy."

In the fifth season, which has returned to the small screen following an 18-month hiatus, Jessica is seen parading around in her underwear and performing a suggestive French song for her husband.

She admits she was more comfortable wearing lacy black underwear than singing and dancing in front of everyone. In the first episode of the new series, Megan invites Don's co-workers for a surprise 40th birthday party at their home where she sings the French ballad Zou Bisou Bisou before ending up in his lap.

"Honestly, it was so well written and said so much about the relationship between the characters that I completely forgot I was wearing a bra and underwear," she claimed.

"But doing a song and dance in front of the whole cast that was intimidating. I just focused on getting through the day."

Jessica adds that her character has become more confident in the new series "because she's Mrs Draper". She also insists Megan feels like Don's equal and never lets him have the upper hand just because of his position.

"They're such a great match physically and sexually," she said.