Katherine Moennig plays Shane on The L Word, the lesbian who hooks up with a different woman each night because she "doesn't do relationships." Months before the first episode aired, Moennig shared with us her perspective on her role, the series overall, and why she became an actress.

AfterEllen.com: How would you describe the story and tone of The L Word?
Katherine Moennig: Part of the beauty with the show is that there is so much going on. Every character is so different then the other that it gives a whole spectrum of personality, and as the story progresses it will only add to that. Also, what I love is that it doesn't put these women in boxes. The story line is a very honest and realistic view on life, and how they deal with it.

AE: How would you describe Shane, the character you play? How does she fit in with the rest of the characters?
KM: I'm still trying to describe Shane for myself but on the outside Shane is someone who is a very sexual being and extremely comfortable with that. People's opinions about her don't faze her and she lives the way she wants to and basically can get whoever she wants, and at the same time she also is very alone in the search for what she wants.

AE: How are you similar or dissimilar to Shane?
KM: I certainly think there are similarities between myself and Shane. There has to be. In every role you play you have to start with you, since you're the root. I can relate to a lot of what she is going through in the inside. And in the ways that I differ from her, I find that I learn more about myself.

AE: What do you think is/will be the biggest challenge faced by the cast/writers/directors of the series?
KM: I don't know what the challenge for everyone involved will be. Everyone is so beyond talented, and does such an amazing job that I don't question that. I think the biggest challenge will be the reaction of the public--good or bad--and how it's dealt with.

AE: It’s been reported that the cast all got along extremely well during the initial filming; was this your experience? Anyone in particular with whom you especially enjoyed working?
KM: It's scary how well we all got along. It was this family that was formed in matter of 6 weeks while filming the pilot.

AE: What was it like working with Rose Troche, who directed the pilot?
KM: Nothing is worse then working with a director who looks at filming like curing cancer, where everything is so serious and rigid. God forbid something goes wrong and the world will end!! Rose was the exact opposite of that. The genius of Rose is her sense of humor. I have never had a director that made me laugh as much as she did. Also she has such a passion for the story and the characters.

AE: How do you think The L Word is different from Queer as Folk?
KM: The only relation our show has to Queer as Folk is that they are both gay oriented stories on Showtime. It's easy to relate the two, but I think once people see our show the differences will be evident. One is about men and the other is about women. That sets the tone already.

AE: As you probably know, The L Word is the first television series with an all-lesbian cast; do you think this development reflects a lasting and/or positive change in Hollywood, or just an attempt to capitalize on the latest trend?
KM: I would hope it would be a positive change in Hollywood, and I think it will. Slowly but surely women are having a stronger and more substantial voice in film and TV, and I think the show will only help propel that. The credit goes to Ilene Chaiken for creating such a wonderful truthful story with such rich three-dimensional characters. And to be honest we're given a chance to help speak for a community that hasn't had much of a voice in the past. Why not capitalize on it?

Hollywood and life in general are all about timing. This is a prime moment to air a show on this subject, so I think..why not? Strike while the iron is hot.

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