You do “badass” and “authoritarian” frighteningly well, which is fascinating to us here at SPYFLIX, because we know you to be the sweet, empathetic, generous soul that you are. Are you drawn to these kinds of secrets-driven stories and villainous characters, or are they drawn to you?

I have so enjoyed playing all of those characters! They are such fun! Playing Martha Boyd in Homeland was a blast, as I got to be a woman in charge of her professional life, yet who was also in the dark about her personal life. Who could she trust? Certainly not her husband! I enjoyed the vulnerability of that character. The woman I portrayed in Murder in the First also had a private life that was challenging. I appreciate the opportunity to flesh out a multifaceted character. Deception and Quantico were fun as well, but we really only got to know the professional side of those characters. Playing Grace on The Boys has been a blast! I just returned from Toronto where we have been shooting Season 3. There’s such a wonderful bunch of actors on that show. I've only shot one episode of The Equalizer, and there may be more - so we’ll see where that one goes. Queen Latifah is fabulous, and my old friend and Yale classmate, Chris Noth, is always fun to work with. I often play characters with authority and smarts. Am I drawn to them or are they drawn to me? Who knows. Hard to say. I can say that I love playing Katarina Rostova on The Blacklist - she is very duplicitous and mysterious! I love navigating the layers of deceit, but also revealing her humanity and vulnerability. 
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Do you have a process in preparing for a role (particularly one you know will be recurring), in terms of performing authentically, such as Martha Boyd, U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in Homeland? 

When I played Martha Boyd in Homeland I did a bit of research on the conflicts in Pakistan, and I also interviewed a female ambassador to get a feel for that life day to day, the typical schedule and the obligations and responsibilities of holding such a highly stressful position. That was truly invaluable. 
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Your hugely popular character in NBC’s The Blacklist, former KGB intelligence officer and villain Katarina Rostiva, was recently killed in (the current) Season 8. How early on did you know Katarina would be killed off? 

When I joined The Blacklist I had no idea how long my character would survive the story line. We don't receive scripts until a few weeks before shooting, so one's fate is a secret until then, and that was the case with me learning about Katarina’s death. We’ve all signed a non-disclosure agreement, and we’re sworn to secrecy, which obviously is very important in this genre. Part of the fun for our viewers is to guess and discuss with fellow fans where the plot might go. Who do you trust? Who is winning? What's the truth, and can I trust my instincts?‍

Will we see Katarina appear now and then (e.g. in newly-shot flashback scenes)?‍

Katarina has already appeared in some flashbacks in recent episodes. Nice to see her ghost is still looming. Nobody gets over mama that quickly! Stay tuned, who knows where this will go. She was shot once and came back! So you never know. Maybe she has 9 lives? No one knows the truth, not even me!
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Is keeping up with real-world happenings around national security, secret intelligence and foreign relations helpful when playing roles like foreign ambassadors or intelligence officers? Or is the script usually the primary driver of your performance?‍

The scripts are usually the driving force behind my performances, but I try to be as authentic as I possibly can be, and that usually entails research on the subject matter. I'm a bit of a news junky anyway, but there is always a way to go deeper and enrich the character.
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We were thrilled to have you on our Badass Female Spies panel with your movie castmates. You shared a real-life story in that discussion about how you chased after muggers who stole your handbag! What was it like to learn you had such an instinct? Did the experience leave you feeling empowered? Or was that Laila never to be heard from again?

The 'badass Laila’ that chased the muggers into that alley in New Haven is probably now (and correctly so) a bit more cautious. I wouldn’t go running down a dark alley to retrieve a hand bag with $7 in it today! That was quite foolish, but it was my instinctual response at that time. I surprised myself!!! Who knew I could be so fierce? I didn’t. I think after the incident I was a bit shocked at my behavior, and upon reflection realized it was not a wise move! Now that said, if someone were to try to hurt someone I love, I imagine I would be quite fierce. 

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Are you personally a fan of the genre (stories about secret identities, crime, espionage, etc.)?  ‍

I do have a penchant for this genre. I especially enjoy true crime documentaries. Forensic Files, Snapped, and the new one, How it Really Happened, really intrigue me. There's something about the science involved and the minuscule clues that can solve these cases that so often transfixes me. Ironically, I am often the one who after the first 20 minutes of a film is asking "What's happening?" 
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How did you spend your time during the height of the pandemic quarantine period? Are you back to work, now that shows and films are creeping back into production?

My quarantine was spent primarily cleaning out closets and decluttering. Out with the old and in with the new! They say it creates new energy. I found that to be true. I sifted through old photos and papers. It was a walk down memory lane. It was a cherished time to look back on my life and acknowledge how far I have come. I felt such gratitude for the journey I’ve had thus far. Also during quarantine I was fortunate enough to do a series of zoom plays written by Richard Nelson. We did a quartet of plays at the Public Theater in New York years ago. They were beautiful plays about the Apple family. In the new trio of plays, it was that same family meeting on zoom during quarantine. It was such a gift to be able to be creative during those early days of lock down, and I was so grateful to be a part of it. I zoomed one of them from home in New York and the other two from St. Paul, Minnesota, where I was visiting my mom. It was such a gift to have some quality, uninterrupted time with her. Later in the fall, The Blacklist began shooting, and I also did a mini series called Dr. Death. The Boys started production up again in the Spring, and I have just returned from Toronto where my visit began with a strict two week COVID-prevention quarantine. For every shoot on every show, we have been tested constantly and we follow strict protocols. Fine with me. Whatever it takes! I am so grateful for the work.‍

What kind of material interests you today, in regards to new opportunities? Are there any upcoming projects you can tell us about?‍

I would love to explore a softer side of myself. I often play these very intense, smart, bossy, strong women. In the theater I have played more fragile characters. For example, I had the privilege of playing Blanche Dubois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater with Gary Sinise and John C. Reilly. I loved that journey. I have also played Alma in Summer and Smoke three times. I worked closely with Arthur Miller in his last play Resurrection Blues, and with Edward Albee in the Signature Theater's production of The Lady from Dubuque. Working with the great playwrights has been the greatest joy of my career! I’d love to do more film. And let’s see what happens on The Equalizer. I had the pleasure of doing an episode - we’ll see if there’s more to come. Queen Latifah is such a lovely lady, and the audience seems to be eating up the show. She has an immense following, and rightly so. So we shall see! ‍

It was an honor for Team SPYFLIX and for our filmmakers to have you as 2021 Guest Judge, and we thank you for your involvement. Did you enjoy reviewing festival submissions? Have you been involved in festivals before? 

I had such fun being a SPYFLIX Guest Judge! I have never been a judge for a film festival - I took the job very seriously. There was so much wonderful artistry, and in some ways it was like comparing apples and oranges. All the submissions were so unique and special in their own way. I found it really difficult to make an ultimate choice!
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‍Care to share thoughts on any SPYFLIX standouts? 

Glad to. The doc short, The Reel 11004 (La Bobine 11004) not only told an extraordinary story about the first censorship in nuclear history, but the way it was constructed was art in and of itself. It is a very unique, poetic and haunting film. People need to see it for its story, and from a filmmaking perspective, the soundscape was exceptional and very effective. The long, lingering images were stirring, powerful and created a sense of foreboding. I will not forget it.

I really enjoyed Coded Bias. I was lost in the fascinating story, and loved seeing the womens’ strength and determination to succeed in their mission. It too was poetic at moments. For such a heady subject, the filmmaker presented it very clearly and understandably for those who aren’t technically savvy.

The animated short, A Head Shorter, was amazing! First, it was fascinating to me that, despite being almost devoid of feeling, emotion or sentiment, and despite its matter of fact style delivery and lack of heavy drama, it was powerful, compelling, chilling, and sad. It was a horror story told in a way that was so human and childlike - brilliant dichotomy. It was just wonderful!