Since January of this year, Polish-born actress Olga Sosnovska has graced our television screens as Lena Kundera, the fabulous bisexual ex-corporate spy and girlfriend of All My Children’s Bianca Montgomery.

Why did you choose acting as a profession? Or did it choose you?

I fell in love with an actor at the age of four and I thought he was my hero. I thought, "That's what I'm going to do."

Is there a particular actor/actress whose work you admire?

There are a million, we'll go for the obvious ones. Judi Dench, just for the fact that she's excelled on stage and on the screen and I love the fact that she's a woman who made a career of film acting as late as she did. And Ian Holm, for all the same reasons.

Do you have a particular "dream role" that you'd like to play? Or a favorite role you've done so far?

My favorite thing that I've played so far is Rosalind in "As You Like It". I would love to play any of Chekhov's three sisters or Inez in Sartre's "No Exit".

Do you prefer stage or screen (TV or film)?

I used to say stage with no hesitation but the more acting I do in front of cameras, the more I feel in control of that skill, because it's a very separate skill, and the more enjoyment I get out of it.

If you weren't acting, what would you be doing?

If I hadn't gotten into drama school, I would have gone to a diplomatic school in Switzerland.

Is there anyone in particular in your life who helped you get to where you are today? (e.g. parents, teachers, significant other, friend, agent, etc.)

My parents mainly because they supported me in my decision to become an actor. They helped me out financially when I was studying even though I'd already been to college and I thought I'd used up all my favors. To me it's important for my parents to support what I do because I respect them so much.

How do you find working in America compared to England? Are there any notable differences?

The main noticeable difference is when I go up for a part in England, I'm going up against ten to fifteen people and in America I'm going up against anything from 100 to 500 people. I get more auditions in America, but my chances are considerably less, so it evens out.

What was the most difficult thing about picking up and moving mid-career to New York?

Not being known in the circuit. Being a nobody.

Is there any one thing in particular that you miss about living in England?

BBC Radio 4. And my friends. In that order.

Do you think that your experience of growing up in two radically different cultures (Poland and England) has helped you significantly in your job as an actress?

Doing something like that takes you out of yourself and what you're used to and what you're comfortable with, and all the things you take for granted and forces you to look at the world through the eyes of a different culture...That's very good preparation for being an actor because that's exactly what you do for each part. You have to be open minded when portraying someone who is very different from you.

Did you have any idea that this role would become so ground-breaking and/or controversial? If you didn't, would knowing have changed your mind about taking the part?

It was explained to me that Lena would be revealed as a bisexual character...no I didn't think it would be as controversial as it turned out to be, but it wouldn't have made any difference.

How do you feel about making American television history as one half of the first lesbian couple on daytime TV?

I know this storyline has been dubbed as "ground-breaking" and even "shocking" which should make me feel like some sort of pioneering radical - and I would LOVE to feel that way but let's face it, one very chaste kiss and some sporadic hand-holding seems hardly revolutionary! Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I hope that this lesbian couple gets a chance to live up to its "progressive" reputation.

Did you have any concerns about joining the cast of a show that is over 30 years in the making?

No. I was just grateful to have a job.

In the Sept. 30th and Oct. 7th issues of Soap Opera Digest... Lena and Bianca were voted Favorite Couple and you were voted Favorite Actress in their weekly poll...any reaction to the news? Do you think this type of popularity will have an effect on the show or the characters?

Obviously, I'm very flattered and I have no illusions about the fact that were it not for the overwhelming outpouring of support from the fans, Lena would not be here today.

Now that your contract has been extended through March 2004... what are your hopes for Lena?

It would be a waste if All My Children didn't take this story to its natural conclusion.

Do you have any other roles coming up that we should be on the lookout for?

I have a small part in a feature film called "House of D".

Doing a soap opera is very demanding.... how do you counter-balance that with the rest of your life? What do you do to escape/relax/chill out?

Anything to do with spending time outside.