Janet McTeer says her 'Jessica Jones' role is an exciting departure, but theater still her first love

NEW YORK - Janet McTeer has spent the last three decades with one foot in the screen and the other on the stage. Raised in the north of England, the Tony Award winner first impressed American moviegoers with her Oscar-nominated turn as a free-spirited single mom in the 1999 film "Tumbleweeds." Since then, she's mostly alternated between independent film ("Albert Nobbs," "Songcatcher") and theater ("Mary Stuart" and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" on Broadway).

But lately, McTeer has been lured from her home in the woods of coastal Maine by TV roles, including her turn as a villain (of sorts) in the just-launched second season of "Marvel's Jessica Jones." The portrayal is an exciting departure for the 56-year-old actress.

"It's enjoyable having to do something so physical," said McTeer, who stands a smidge over 6 feet, during a recent visit to New York.