--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was…" description: "\"On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend the character-slash-leading lady roles, and that's what I'm doing on 'Once Upon a Time' as well..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/lana-parrilla-19259_able_on-swingtown-i-think-that-s-when-i-was-a_186432.jpg" --- # On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend… ![“On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend the character-slash-leading lady roles, and that's what I'm doing on 'Once Upon a Time' as well. She's a leading lady, but she's also this character.” quote by Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/lana-parrilla-19259_able_on-swingtown-i-think-that-s-when-i-was-a_186432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/lana-parrilla-19259_able_on-swingtown-i-think-that-s-when-i-was-a_186432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/lana-parrilla-19259_able_on-swingtown-i-think-that-s-when-i-was-a_186432.jpg) > “On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend the character-slash-leading lady roles, and that's what I'm doing on 'Once Upon a Time' as well. She's a leading lady, but she's also this character.” [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She merges the traditional leading lady role with a more complex, character-driven identity, showing versatility in performance. **In simple terms:** She combines classic heroine traits with deeper character work. Key Takeaway Embrace multiple facets of a role. Themes acting character development versatility gender roles storytelling Mood creative confident Type insightful inspirational When to use this quote - TV casting - career growth - script selection Key Concepts identity dual roles performance dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain authenticity while expanding a character? - What risks arise when blending archetypes? A Different Perspective Balancing audience expectations with artistic depth can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Once upon a time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/once-upon-a-time/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Good films and good performances will help you go further in your career. You can't get too far by just choosing leading lady roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parineeti-chopra/good-films-and-good-performances-will-help-you-go-further-in-your/) [Parineeti Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parineeti-chopra/) > [I'm a leading lady character actor; I don't fit in one slot simply. I've always been used to a certain amount of struggle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-m-a-leading-lady-character-actor-i-don-t-fit-in-one-slot-simply-i/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [I have never been an easy fit. I'm a leading lady character actor; I don't fit in one slot simply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-have-never-been-an-easy-fit-i-m-a-leading-lady-character-actor-i/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [The best compliment I ever got from the public or producers or directors is that I just totally blend in and become the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-compliment-i-ever-got-from-the-public-or-producers-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was always a character actress and never a sex symbol. Even when I was the leading lady, I was a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-was-always-a-character-actress-and-never-a-sex-symbol-even-when-i/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [Once you get into your 40s, you're no longer leading-lady age. Generally, those roles get offered to women in their 20s and 30s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-outhwaite/once-you-get-into-your-40s-you-re-no-longer-leading-lady-age/) [Tamzin Outhwaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-outhwaite/) > [It's good to be able to be a leading lady, to be a romantic lead, to play opposite people who are talented, and charismatic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-graham/it-s-good-to-be-able-to-be-a-leading-lady-to-be-a-romantic-lead-to/) [Heather Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-graham/) > [I had a professor in graduate school who told us, 'Know what you're good at, and do that thing.' And I thought, 'Hands down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruthie-ann-miles/i-had-a-professor-in-graduate-school-who-told-us-know-what-you-re/) [Ruthie Ann Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruthie-ann-miles/) > [I did not see myself as a leading lady. I thought I was really funny-looking and I would never be the lead, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-baker/i-did-not-see-myself-as-a-leading-lady-i-thought-i-was-really-funny/) [Kathy Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-baker/) > [It's a huge change from when I started in the 1960s, but what is really impressive is that the number of ladies on set,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitabh-bachchan/it-s-a-huge-change-from-when-i-started-in-the-1960s-but-what-is/) [Amitabh Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitabh-bachchan/) > [Youre supposed to be the leading lady in your own life, for Gods sake!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/youre-supposed-to-be-the-leading-lady-in-your-own-life-for-gods-sake/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Part of me would love to have been a leading lady because there's a lot of glamour that goes with that and a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selma-blair/part-of-me-would-love-to-have-been-a-leading-lady-because-there-s-a/) [Selma Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selma-blair/) > [After a while, Godard was going to do 'A Woman is a Woman' with Sami Frey and another actress in the leading lady part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-karina/after-a-while-godard-was-going-to-do-a-woman-is-a-woman-with-sami/) [Anna Karina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-karina/) > [In almost every musical ever written, there's a place that's usually about the third song of the evening - sometimes it's the second, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-ashman/in-almost-every-musical-ever-written-there-s-a-place-that-s-usually/) Howard Ashman > [I was supposed to be a romancer, either wooing the leading lady or competing with the leading man for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/i-was-supposed-to-be-a-romancer-either-wooing-the-leading-lady-or/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) ## More by Lana Parrilla > [I am very, very diligent and extremely hard-working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-am-very-very-diligent-and-extremely-hard-working/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [Every little girl wanted to be Natalie Wood, as did I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/every-little-girl-wanted-to-be-natalie-wood-as-did-i/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [This is the honest-to-God truth: I just focus on the work, because if my work isn't good, then I won't succeed either way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/this-is-the-honest-to-god-truth-i-just-focus-on-the-work-because-if/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [“Just smile and look pretty”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/just-smile-and-look-pretty/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [Israel was always on my bucket list, it was always one of those places that you check off and move onto the next place,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/israel-was-always-on-my-bucket-list-it-was-always-one-of-those-places/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [Over the months, I kept seeing more feathers, especially at moments when I was really down and distraught. You ask for signs in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/over-the-months-i-kept-seeing-more-feathers-especially-at-moments/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [When I look back on my career, I go, 'This is really great, I've played so many different women.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/when-i-look-back-on-my-career-i-go-this-is-really-great-i-ve-played/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [No real fairytale scared me, but Freddy Krueger did. 'Nightmare on Elm Street' scared the living hell out of me, but no fairytale. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/no-real-fairytale-scared-me-but-freddy-krueger-did-nightmare-on-elm/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [I played lots of fantasy games. I would create these worlds, and I would believe in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-played-lots-of-fantasy-games-i-would-create-these-worlds-and-i/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [I never liked apples. In fact, when I was a little girl, my mom wanted to give me apples in my lunch box and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-never-liked-apples-in-fact-when-i-was-a-little-girl-my-mom-wanted/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [I always saw myself as a character actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-always-saw-myself-as-a-character-actor/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [Follow your heart because it always knows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/follow-your-heart-because-it-always-knows/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [I have a lot of LGBT friends and family members and I've always supported the community, not only as a child but as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-have-a-lot-of-lgbt-friends-and-family-members-and-i-ve-always/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [Children, a lot of times, can't make their parents wrong because they have to live with them, because they have to love them. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/children-a-lot-of-times-can-t-make-their-parents-wrong-because-they/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) > [I didn't fit in on any level when I moved from Brooklyn to Burbank - on any level. And then I met a bunch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-parrilla/i-didn-t-fit-in-on-any-level-when-i-moved-from-brooklyn-to-burbank-on/) [Lana Parrilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) [Explore all 33 Lana Parrilla quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-parrilla/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend the character-slash-leading lady roles, and that's what I'm doing on 'Once Upon a Time' as well. 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