The wholesome is definitely intentional and drilled into me. I mean, we weren't allowed to pierce our ears growing up. We didn't wear makeup. We couldn't have layers in our hair, perms, or color, or manicures. My dad didn't think it was ladylike. My dad just felt like his daughters should be wholesome.

My parents came from a poor background and worked their way up because of education. They saw it as a way to succeed. So they cared about me getting straight A grades when I was growing up.

Growing up where I did, the thought of working on a television show or in a movie... that existed on a parallel plane, you know?

I'm still conflict-averse. I don't like to argue.

I don't want to be one of those actors who sits and regrets her career choices later in life.

I don't think I would be getting any of these movies without that show, and that's a strong show, a great fan base and it's helped me out a lot. It took me out of Canada and brought me down to the states and gave me my career basically.

I want to be Jacques Pepin. I want to have a nice 50-, 60-year career. I want to be on PBS when I'm 70-something, still kicking it, having a great time, showing up in Aspen to sign cookbooks. I just want to have a nice, big, long career.

Over 20 years, I chipped away at a career little by little. I worked churches, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway. I began being recognized by my peers by casting directors, actors, producers.