On 'Swingtown,' I think that's when I was able to blend the character-slash-leading lady roles, and that's what I'm doing on 'Once Upon a Time' as well. She's a leading lady, but she's also this character.

I actually study boxing - my dad was a Golden Gloves champion so I learned how to fight at a very young age. Growing up in Brooklyn you always had to watch your back, so I pretty much learned to protect myself.

When I was just a kid, growing up in Brooklyn, I was constantly making home videos with my family – real silly high-concept productions like, 'Attack of the Killer Handkerchief.' I guess I knew even then that I wanted to be an actress.

Over the months, I kept seeing more feathers, especially at moments when I was really down and distraught. You ask for signs in your life, but what you get is more like a confirmation: You are where you need to be. Just take a deep breath.

I love horror, I love scary movies, I love thrillers. If things creep you out and spook you? I love it.

Children do run from me. And so do some adults.

Children, a lot of times, can't make their parents wrong because they have to live with them, because they have to love them. And when you're young, you can't get on your Big Wheel and go down to the Best Western. You've got to live there and you've got to figure it out.