I'm definitely leading a much slower life now that I'm not working every single day on a television series.

My family comes first, and you have to be in charge to be able to protect that. You have to be the one who says no or you don't have a life, which is what I found out the first time.

People tell me not to do a soap, but it was a great learning experience because I became familiar with the technical aspects of the business. Besides, look who came out of soaps - Julianne Moore, Demi Moore, Tommy Lee Jones, Parker Posey, Kathleen Turner. All amazing people.

I love every minute in the kitchen with my kids, even the mess (I've learned to embrace it!). I find that in the car on the way home from school, I often get one-word answers when I ask about their day. But when we're cooking, I get in-depth stories.

But there are still only certain film genres where a woman can stand out, be heroic, be the centerpiece.

When you've played Buffy - who's such a strong female role model - it's really hard for another female character to compare to her.

I don't understand why James Bond has to be a man all the time. When Pierce Brosnan retires, why not one of us?