Helen Mirren

OF 1923 ON PARAMOUNT+

Q: You typically have such an active schedule, did you have to move other projects to fulfill the series commitment of “1923”?

A: You make choices of what you decide you want to do and what you don’t want to do. I had done a series of quite demanding roles, including (former Israeli Prime Minister) Golda Meir, and it was time to do something different. This was nothing I had done before, it was quintessentially American, and I just thought it would be a great adventure. And it has been.

Q: You’ve come to “1923” after receiving more accolades including the Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement Award. Is it safe to assume that this has been a satisfying period for you?

A: Of course, but honestly, the real benefit is the playing of a scene and feeling that it worked. The other stuff is lovely, but it is absolutely peripheral. The exciting thing is sharing a space with wonderful actors and feeling that you’re telling a story well. That’s really all we want to do.

Q: You’re working with one Taylor now, “1923” creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan, but you’re married to another ... movie director Taylor Hackford. Why do you think his films have held up over time?

A: He always has given great roles to women. If you look at the way the female characters are treated in all of his films, they’re strong, complex and really interesting.

Also, his movies are very diverse. In “An Officer and a Gentleman,” the sergeant originally was written for a white actor and Taylor said, “No, I want a Black actor for that role.” And (Louis Gossett Jr.) won an Oscar for it.