--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With any project I work on - not just…" description: "\"With any project I work on - not just 'True Detective' - I don't feel the need just to play a strong woman. I don't want the audience to say, 'Oh, she ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/rachel-mcadams-3204_detective_with-any-project-i-work-on-not-just-true_891942.png" --- # With any project I work on - not just 'True Detective' - I… ![“With any project I work on - not just 'True Detective' - I don't feel the need just to play a strong woman. I don't want the audience to say, 'Oh, she was so strong.' I want to play characters that are flawed and interesting.” quote by Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/rachel-mcadams-3204_detective_with-any-project-i-work-on-not-just-true_891942.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/rachel-mcadams-3204_detective_with-any-project-i-work-on-not-just-true_891942.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/rachel-mcadams-3204_detective_with-any-project-i-work-on-not-just-true_891942.png) > “With any project I work on - not just 'True Detective' - I don't feel the need just to play a strong woman. I don't want the audience to say, 'Oh, she was so strong.' I want to play characters that are flawed and interesting.” [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She prefers portraying nuanced, imperfect characters over stereotypical strong women. **In simple terms:** She wants complex roles, not just strong ones. Key Takeaway Seek depth in character choices. Themes acting authenticity gender roles Mood thoughtful introspective Type artistic reflective When to use this quote - audition preparation - script analysis - casting decisions Key Concepts character complexity female representation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance strength and vulnerability in a role? - What makes a flawed character relatable? A Different Perspective Strong archetypes can limit audience empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Detective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Strong woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-woman/) [True Detective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-detective/) [Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [You know, there's nothing damnable about being a strong woman. The world needs strong women. There are a lot of strong women you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-rogers/you-know-there-s-nothing-damnable-about-being-a-strong-woman-the-2/) [Ginger Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-rogers/) > [Having the opportunity to play a strong woman is a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-matchett/having-the-opportunity-to-play-a-strong-woman-is-a-good-one/) [Kari Matchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-matchett/) > [It's hard because there's a part of me that wants 'True Detective' to win every award we're nominated for. But I'm a huge fan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-fukunaga/it-s-hard-because-there-s-a-part-of-me-that-wants-true-detective-to/) [Cary Fukunaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-fukunaga/) > ['True Detective' is a densely layered work with resonant details and symbology and rich characterization under the guise of one of the forms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nic-pizzolatto/true-detective-is-a-densely-layered-work-with-resonant-details-and/) [Nic Pizzolatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nic-pizzolatto/) > [Nothing in the television show 'True Detective' was plagiarized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nic-pizzolatto/nothing-in-the-television-show-true-detective-was-plagiarized/) [Nic Pizzolatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nic-pizzolatto/) > [ It was the first time I worked with Matthew McConaughey \[in the True Detective\].They're fun guys \[with Woody Harrelson\]. They don't take life at… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-monaghan/it-was-the-first-time-i-worked-with-matthew-mcconaughey-in-the-true/) [Michelle Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-monaghan/) > [My manager sent me the first two scripts for 'True Detective,' and I just thought they were so interesting and that the world they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-fukunaga/my-manager-sent-me-the-first-two-scripts-for-true-detective-and-i/) [Cary Fukunaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-fukunaga/) > [I didn't expect anything crazy to happen from 'True Detective.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-daddario/i-didn-t-expect-anything-crazy-to-happen-from-true-detective/) [Alexandra Daddario](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-daddario/) > [When I started on 'The West Wing,' that was at a time when this was still a stigma, because movie stars didn't do TV.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/when-i-started-on-the-west-wing-that-was-at-a-time-when-this-was/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [If I write scripts that nobody likes, I don't think we'll be doing 'True Detective.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nic-pizzolatto/if-i-write-scripts-that-nobody-likes-i-don-t-think-we-ll-be-doing/) [Nic Pizzolatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nic-pizzolatto/) > [I'm usually late to the game on shows and watch them after they've aired. But I love 'House of Cards,' 'The Killing,' 'Orange Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-m-usually-late-to-the-game-on-shows-and-watch-them-after-they-ve/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I am such a 'True Detective' fan. I was anticipating it each Sunday as it came. I'm kind of a sci-fi fan. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-pascal/i-am-such-a-true-detective-fan-i-was-anticipating-it-each-sunday-as/) [Pedro Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-pascal/) > [I enjoy setting the scene and coming up with interesting frames. 'True Detective' was a very hands-on set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-fukunaga/i-enjoy-setting-the-scene-and-coming-up-with-interesting-frames-true/) [Cary Fukunaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-fukunaga/) > [In the summer of 2010, I had decided to get into film and TV writing, so I wrote scripts for six different ideas I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nic-pizzolatto/in-the-summer-of-2010-i-had-decided-to-get-into-film-and-tv-writing/) [Nic Pizzolatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nic-pizzolatto/) > [I've seen 'True Detective' end-to-end at least three times; I'll probably see it again. It is a work of dark brilliance. But if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-k-morgan/i-ve-seen-true-detective-end-to-end-at-least-three-times-i-ll/) [Richard K. Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-k-morgan/) ## More by Rachel McAdams > [I drink maple syrup. Then I'm hyper so I just run around like crazy and work it all off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-drink-maple-syrup-then-i-m-hyper-so-i-just-run-around-like-crazy/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [ I think I kind of grew up with that a little bit and have great admiration for people who do \[medical practice\] for a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-think-i-kind-of-grew-up-with-that-a-little-bit-and-have-great/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [What I love is dropping into someone else's life and exploring it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/what-i-love-is-dropping-into-someone-else-s-life-and-exploring-it/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I love those preliminary conversations about who a character is. You try on wigs, shoes, and clothes. It's preferable when it's not about looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-love-those-preliminary-conversations-about-who-a-character-is-you/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I'm a little funny when it comes to blood and guts and stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-m-a-little-funny-when-it-comes-to-blood-and-guts-and-stuff-like-that/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I'm from a very close-knit family, and there was something very... I guess you could say normal, about it, and I so appreciate that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-m-from-a-very-close-knit-family-and-there-was-something-very-i/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I'm not an amazing cook. But I can follow a recipe!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-m-not-an-amazing-cook-but-i-can-follow-a-recipe/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I prefer to be a villainess. There's something a bit more delicious about their wickedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-prefer-to-be-a-villainess-there-s-something-a-bit-more-delicious/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I have a certain curiosity for life that drives me and propels me forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-have-a-certain-curiosity-for-life-that-drives-me-and-propels-me/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I use filming as an excuse to take classes. I got my certification in sailing for 'Wedding Crashers,' and now I can handle a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-use-filming-as-an-excuse-to-take-classes-i-got-my-certification-in/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I grew up in a small town, in a small house, with a raspberry bush in the backyard...I think one thing that kids who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-grew-up-in-a-small-town-in-a-small-house-with-a-raspberry-bush-in/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [I was kind of reading you know Judy Blume and stuff like that. But yeah, but I've since educated myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-was-kind-of-reading-you-know-judy-blume-and-stuff-like-that-but/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [ I was a little jealous of the levitation cloak but I was happy to be comfortable \[on Doctor Strange set\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-was-a-little-jealous-of-the-levitation-cloak-but-i-was-happy-to-be/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [Joan Cusack is one of my favorite comedic actresses, and every part she plays is so different. She does the wackiest stuff and somehow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/joan-cusack-is-one-of-my-favorite-comedic-actresses-and-every-part/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [You have to turn the noise off a little bit. Fortunately, I'm not really on social media. I've been able to live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/you-have-to-turn-the-noise-off-a-little-bit-fortunately-i-m-not/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) [Explore all 137 Rachel McAdams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) ## More Detective quotes > [“When I saw the Twilight movies I thought being a Vampyre was so romantic. When my friends decided to be Vampyres it was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abramelin-keldor/when-i-saw-the-twilight-movies-i-thought-being-a-vampyre-was-so/) [Abramelin Keldor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abramelin-keldor/) > [The general public have a warped view of the speed at which an investigation proceeds. They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/the-general-public-have-a-warped-view-of-the-speed-at-which-an/) [Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/) > [“Stomach full of jitters, little beasts that were second cousins to guacamolians—little green monsters that wreaked havoc in your stomach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kely-mcclung/stomach-full-of-jitters-little-beasts-that-were-second-cousins-to/) [William Kely McClung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kely-mcclung/) > [I read a lot of 'Nancy Drew' books as a kid and considered myself a bit of an amateur detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-read-a-lot-of-nancy-drew-books-as-a-kid-and-considered-myself-a-bit/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/it-is-ridiculous-to-set-a-detective-story-in-new-york-city-new-york/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [Arthur Conan Doyle was entranced by the notion of a brilliant detective who can deduce everything a stranger has been up to from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-yglesias/arthur-conan-doyle-was-entranced-by-the-notion-of-a-brilliant/) [Rafael Yglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-yglesias/) > [Detective, I don't know where the boyfriend is, really," I said. And it was true, considering tide, current, and the habits of marine scavengers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/detective-i-don-t-know-where-the-boyfriend-is-really-i-said-and-it/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-james/what-the-detective-story-is-about-is-not-murder-but-the-restoration/) [P. D. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-james/) > [Sure, I'll have characters drop in and out of books but the main cast of characters always changes. Maybe I'm wrong but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hiaasen/sure-i-ll-have-characters-drop-in-and-out-of-books-but-the-main-cast/) [Carl Hiaasen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hiaasen/) > [Johannes Cabal would kill me for saying this, but he's my favorite Zeppelin-hopping detective. The fellow has got all the charm of Bond and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/johannes-cabal-would-kill-me-for-saying-this-but-he-s-my-favorite/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) > [“My motto? Don’t trust someone who is just as cagey as yourself." "What kind of detective are you?” “A lousy one and proud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-a-edelheit/my-motto-don-t-trust-someone-who-is-just-as-cagey-as-yourself-what/) Peggy A. Edelheit > [“...you cannot enter into an investigation with a philosophy that dictates the outcome. Objectivity is paramount; this is the first principle of detective work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-enter-into-an-investigation-with-a-philosophy-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I'm home with no chore at hand, and a package of books has come, the television set and the chess board and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-stout/if-i-m-home-with-no-chore-at-hand-and-a-package-of-books-has-come-the/) [Rex Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-stout/) > [I like the idea of playing a historical detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-mendes/i-like-the-idea-of-playing-a-historical-detective/) [Eva Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-mendes/) > [You find when you're writing a detective story that you're actually not trying to solve anything. You're trying to stop the reader from solving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bollen/you-find-when-you-re-writing-a-detective-story-that-you-re-actually/) [Christopher Bollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bollen/) [Browse all 482 Detective quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detective/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With any project I work on - not just 'True Detective' - I don't feel the need just to play a strong woman. I don't want the audience to say, 'Oh, she was so strong.' 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