"But I'm attracted to roles where I get to really go in and explore a character"
About this Quote
The real engine is the phrase “really go in.” It’s deliberately physical. Not “understand,” not “portray,” but enter. Actors talk this way when they’re signaling process: the hours of backstory, voice, posture, the willingness to look messy. “Explore a character” adds a second layer, suggesting the role is less a fixed product than a terrain with surprises. That subtext pushes against the industry’s tendency to treat characters, especially women’s characters, as functions: girlfriend, victim, symbol, twist.
Contextually, it’s a neat piece of professional self-advocacy. Lee isn’t naming the problem (typecasting, limited writing, reductive parts), but she’s setting a standard that implies it. She’s telling casting directors and audiences: don’t hand me an outline; give me someone with rooms in them. It’s also a subtle promise to viewers: if the role has depth, she’ll do the kind of work that makes you feel like you’re watching a person, not a performance.
Quote Details
| Topic | Movie |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
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Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Lee, Sheryl. (2026, January 16). But I'm attracted to roles where I get to really go in and explore a character. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/but-im-attracted-to-roles-where-i-get-to-really-90664/
Chicago Style
Lee, Sheryl. "But I'm attracted to roles where I get to really go in and explore a character." FixQuotes. January 16, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/but-im-attracted-to-roles-where-i-get-to-really-90664/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"But I'm attracted to roles where I get to really go in and explore a character." FixQuotes, 16 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/but-im-attracted-to-roles-where-i-get-to-really-90664/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.



