Melinda Clarke

I'm getting a lot of roles as women who are very powerful. I think that's a reflection of me as a person.

Usually pilot season is very busy, and there are lots of auditions and lots of near misses and rejections. This year, I had two auditions, landed this role and it felt like being home again.

Throw in the humor, throw in that personality, try things you wouldn't normally try.

I've always been very determined, ever since I was a little girl, to make my way.

I'm trying to make the readers feel as if he or she is right there in the conversation, and so I don't try to manipulate it too much.

Most detective story readers are an educated audience and know there are only a certain number of plots. The interest lies in what the writer does with them.