She's a bona fide rom-com queen, but Rachel McAdams is ready to make the move from girl next door to something far grittier. Cue a leading role in the second season of True Detective and a growing interest in playing characters who aren't afraid to make a few enemies.
Before you clutch your worn copy of The Notebook and weep, take note. Canada's Sweetheart started out as Mean Girls queen bee Regina George, and has already taken on more antagonistic roles in Midnight in Paris and Passion. As such, her upcoming role as TD's detective Ani Bezzerides, who battles addictions to gambling and alcohol, isn't really all that unexpected.
McAdams spoke about taking on the complex role in the June issue of Marie Claire, which she covers.
"I love the exploration of someone who has such a different background from you," she told the magazine. "That exploration runs to compassion, and to cracking yourself open and creating more understanding of how weird and amazing life is.
"I love that she’s not the girlfriend or the wife," the actress added. "She doesn’t really care what everyone thinks; she feels no responsibility for other people’s feelings. She’s not trying to be charming, which isn’t always the case with a leading lady. There’s [usually] sort of a responsibility to be a little bit likable…Not that you want to be a horrendous character, just a little more human.”
We're ready to see McAdams dig deep and show off her range. DVRs at the ready.
We're ready to see McAdams dig deep and show off her range. DVRs at the ready.