Holly Hunter is Full of 'Grace'

The Actress Dishes About Her Transition To Television and Her Edgy New Character

Related Links More About Holly Hunter More About 'Saving Grace'

July 20 -- Holly Hunter advises viewers to open their minds before watching TNT's 'Saving Grace,' new detective drama with a twist. Her edgy and self-destructive cop talks to angels and engages in some activities that might be frowned upon by some religious groups.

During a recent interview with reporters, the Oscar-winning actress reveals if she's worried about the audience reaction and most importantly, why she had to play this part and what is up with her constant braid.

Grace is so strong, it might turn a lot of people off to the character. How do you think the audience is going to react?
I have no idea. It hasn't been in front of an audience yet. The show is original in ways that are very unpredictable and very unexpected for me, just in terms of each story that we get to be part of every week. It's been pretty thrilling to have this kind of collaboration with the showrunner, Nancy Miller. I'm just very excited.

Your character's language and sexual activity might be considered questionable. Was there ever a consideration that it might alienate Christian viewers?
I kind of make it a point to make things because I want to express something. I want to have a conversation about something. And in this case, I wanted to have a conversation about Grace. I wanted to play Grace and I didn't want anybody else to play Grace. Anyone who has struggled in their lives could relate to Grace. Anyone who has faith, or doesn't have faith, or who has doubts about their faith, or has never believed in God could be interested in this show, but it definitely does take an open mind.

This show seems to be about personal faith and redemption and not so much about organized religion and beliefs.
Grace has railed against and is railing against Catholicism as an organized religion for herself. That's something that her family is still very much engaged in but she is not. But the show is about Grace. It's about her entire life and her own private relationship with herself. It's about her relationship with the world. She's a bit of an anti-heroine. She's very, very at home with chaos and she creates some chaos for herself and she resolves chaos.

Grace's look is very distinctive. How'd you come up with her look and hairstyle?
It really started out with a braid. There was a scene in a bathroom in the pilot, and I wanted to be doing something that was utterly female. I thought I'd love to braid my hair because it feel like such an old kind [tradition]. It really started with that and then it just kind of took from there. It's been so much fun to do different things, to put like 30 earrings in my hair instead of wearing them in my ears.

You made a short visit to Oklahoma City when you were filming the pilot. What experiences did you have with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
I just have had the greatest time there. I went there initially to look at the city and I've met with the police department in Oklahoma City a few times now, and they have just welcomed me with open arms. They've given be driving lessons, shooting lessons, movement lessons. I've had access to talk to any police officer that I've wanted to, to spend time with them. They've taken me out to lunch, they've taken me out to dinner. They've been so generous.

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