Read a profile of Nina here

AfterEllen.com: What’s your background (age, where you grew up, ethnicity, education etc.)?
Nina Landey: I’m late-20’s-early thirties. (At least that’s what my agents tell me to say. Not only are you supposed to be straight in Hollywood, you’re supposed to be perpetually 22.) Ethnically, I’m half Sicilian, half Russian Jew, but I identify primarily as a New Yorker. I had an amazing education; I got my B.A. from Barnard and my M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama.

AE: What inspired you to become an actress? Which actors/actresses do you admire most?
NL: My parents met while doing a play together and my mom actually performed while pregnant with me so I guess I was doomed in the womb. I love actors who transform--Meryl Streep and Daniel Day-Lewis come immediately to mind.

AE: Besides acting, what are your other interests/hobbies?
NL: I love to draw, paint, write. I love to talk. I love to observe. I love to imagine. To play. To connect.

AE: If you couldn’t act, what would you do instead?
NL: Keep trying things until I found something I loved as much as acting.

AE: What has been your biggest challenge (personally or professionally)?
NL: My self. If I would only shut up and get out of my way…

AE: What do you think people would be most surprised to learn about you?
NL: If there’s a strange noise in the middle of the night, I’m the one to go investigate.

AE: How are you similar or dissimilar to the character you play in Treading Water?
NL: Well, I look like Alex, and I sound like her, but you wouldn’t see my girlfriend treating me like that!!

AE: What was it like working with Lauren Himmel? Angie Redman?
NL: I loved working with Angie. We became, and continue to be, really good friends. And Lauren really listened and took a lot of our suggestions into consideration. I really appreciate that.

AE: What has been the most unexpected consequence of starring in Treading Water?
NL: This interview : )

AE: You mentioned in the DVD commentary that prior to taking the role in Treading Water, you wondered if playing a lesbian would negatively impact your career. Has this turned out to be true?
NL: I’ve never been told that I didn’t get a part because I am gay, but who knows? Most gay people that I know in the biz advise me not to come out...But I just can’t lie! Lying poisons the soul.

AE: Has being a lesbian ever impacted your career negatively? Positively? Would you recommend being out to other young actresses?
NL: If being out means I don’t get a job, that sucks. But being closeted is worse. Maybe I’m wrong, but I say come out, come out, wherever you are! Be yourself. Change the world.

AE: Any plans on playing a gay character again?
NL: I ‘d love to play a gay character again. But this time, I want to play a sexy, kick-ass, get-outta-my way- cuz-I’ll-eat –you-alive character. Oh, yeah.

AE: Did you enjoy your experience as a recurring character on Guiding Light? Were you out when you worked on that show, and were there many other lesbian actresses in daytime dramas?
NL: GL was my first TV gig after I got out of drama school so I took it really seriously--even though I played the sister of a cross-dressing rapist-killer. (The amount of fan mail from prisons was a little scary.)

I don’t remember if I was out. My policy has always been, if you ask, I’ll tell. I don’t know of any “sisters” on daytime but I’m sure there are some. In many contracts for network shows, there are morality clauses basically saying that you can be fired if your actions are deemed to be contrary to the prevalent moral climate so I think some people are scared. We’ve got a long way to go, baby…

AE: Out of all the shows you’ve guest-starred on in the last year or two (ER, 24, Crossing Jordan, etc.), which role did you find the most interesting? Why?
NL: ER definitely! I was stabbed, in labor, in an ambulance accident, getting an emergency c-section in the middle of a thunderstorm! What could be more fun for an actor?

AE: If you could play any role (future or past), which one would it be?
NL: Someone both incredibly powerful and incredibly vulnerable; Medea, Lady MacBeth, Hedda Gabler. I want to rip myself open. I want to roar!

AE: Are you currently working on any other TV or movie roles? When is your next appearance?
NL: I just shot on an as-yet-untitled Thriller in which I play the cop-sister of the hero. It’s a small part but I wanted to do it because it’s a GAY thriller. Yep, basically it’s Halloween or Friday the 13th but with gay boys slashed to bits instead. Should be some good cheesy fun.

AE: What’s your perspective on the proliferation of lesbian characters in television and film in the last few years? Do you think these developments reflect a lasting and/or positive change in Hollywood, or just an attempt to capitalize on the latest trend?
NL: I’m glad there have been more lesbian characters on TV and film and hope there are more to come. I’m sure the increase is because it’s good for business. But I say let ‘em capitalize on the trend all they want; we will reap the rewards. As society becomes acclimated to lesbians more and more, negative attitudes will fade, making it easier for us to live freely.

AE: As you probably know, most of the time lesbian characters on TV and film (Buffy, Earthlings, Treading Water, Kissing Jessica Stein etc.) are played by straight actresses; do you think there should be more of an effort made to cast lesbian actresses in these roles?
NL: I believe in art and I want the actor who can best play the part to do it. However, minorities should have a chance to represent themselves. An attempt should be made to fill the part with a member of the minority before giving it to someone else.

AE: Do you find that lesbian directors/writers/casting directors make more (or less) of an effort to include lesbian actresses in their films/TV shows? Should they?
NL: I’d like to see more of an Old Girls network. Let’s face it, no one really gives a shit about lesbians except for other lesbians. And Howard Stern.

AE: What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from working in Hollywood? Any advice for aspiring actresses?
NL: To thine own self be true.

AE: So how do you know Ellen [Degeneres]? Sorry, had to ask! :)
NL: My ex-girlfriend dates her ex-girlfriend. It’s a small, small, small lesbian world.

Nina Landey's fan email address is ninalandey@yahoo.com.