X-MEN STAR FINDS TV MORE CHALLENGING

With her portrayal of the red- haired mutant Jean Grey, Famke Janssen (right) became a favourite among X-Men fans but the actor believes there is a lot more to her side than the wellknown movie character.

Janssen says although working in the popular Hollywood movie series was a great experience, she did not get enough time to explore herself as Jean or Phoenix Force. On the contrary, she had more time to nurture her role of Scottie Hargrave on TV show The Blacklist: Redemption.

“They are very different parts. With Scottie Hargrave, I get much more time to explore her for one,” the 52-year-old actor says. About the character, she adds: “Scottie Hargrave is just very unique. She’s very strong on the one hand and very vulnerable on the other. She’s such an interesting woman — it’s rare to play somebody like that.”

Over the years, Janssen has worked in various films and TV shows. The actor says both the mediums have their own challenges: “Television definitely works differently from films. You don’t know the whole character. It’s a little bit challenging at times as I have to create a character only knowing part of who she is and then having to find out along with everyone else more about her.”

The actor who began as a model says her career has been “varied”. She says, “I’m lucky to have played wonderful parts in great movies. I’ve been able to work with Woody Allen and Robert Altman. I’ve worked on television and feature films, so looking back it’s been a very exciting journey.”

PHOTO: TONY CENICOLA/ THE NEW YORK TIMES