Mary McDonnell

“It became very clear to me that I was not going to be a character actress. I was going to be a leading lady.”

“The thing about 'Battlestar Galactica' is that it's a story that's really about the human condition.”

“For me, it's about the character, not the medium. I'm a character actor.”

“I have a very strong sense of my own destiny.”

“I feel very lucky to have had the career that I've had. I've gotten to play some amazing characters.”

“My children grew up on film sets. I think it's a great way to grow up.”

“What I love about the theater is that you know you'll have a beginning, a middle, and an end.”

“I'm drawn to women who are flawed and complicated and have a duality to them.”

“I'm not a person who dwells on the past. I'm always looking forward.”

“I think it's important for us to be able to see women in positions of power, and to see women who are not afraid to be strong.”

“I think the most important thing is to be true to yourself, and to what you believe in.”

“To play a president, you have to have a certain gravitas.”

“The older I get, the more I'm prepared to do things that I'm not sure I can do.”

“I think that sci-fi is a great genre for exploring big ideas.”

“I'm a big believer in the power of women. I'm a big believer in the power of sisterhood.”