January Jones is experiencing the kind of 'overnight success' that's borne of 10 years of hard work and bit parts. At 30, she's appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, but it's her role in Mad Men that's about to catapult her to leading lady status.
As Mad Men's Betty Draper, January plays the quintessential 50s housewife. Demure, gracious and perfectly groomed, her Grace Kelly looks disguise her inner angst.
Mad Men, which is released on DVD in Australia today, is set in a New York advertising firm in the early 1960s. It's a booze-soaked, smoke-filled, male-dominated world - but the three leading ladies are compelling, to say the least. Joan Holloway (played by the indomitable Christina Hendricks) is the sassy office manager who brandishes her sex appeal with unprecedented aplomb. Peggy Olson (played by West Wing alum Elisabeth Moss) is the smart, ambitious secretary who hides her sexuality to blend in with the men in her office. And Betty is married to Don Draper, the firm's dapper creative director. A former model, Betty wants to be the perfect wife and mother, but begins to realise that life isn't always rosy.
Lauren Smelcher chatted to January Jones about breakout moments, working with perfectionists and kissing leading men.
You've been working in Hollywood for ten years now. What was it like when you finally got that breakout moment?
I'm not sure I ever felt that I was having a "breakout moment" but I will say that I've felt like I've been a part as something so special and well received as Mad Men.
I've heard that casting the show was difficult because Matthew Weiner wanted women who looked like they could have stepped out of the 1960s - which meant no botox, no surgery and curvy bodies. Is that true?
I'm sure that is true as he wanted the show to be as authentic as possible and finding women who are willing to age gracefully and naturally, especially in this business, was probably challenging.
Did it make you even more grateful that you haven't altered the way you look?
I am who I am, and am not a big fan of exercising too much so it's worked out for me in this project. I am glad that I don't have a producer telling me to watch my weight (laughs). I try to be comfortable in my skin.
The three lead women - Betty, Joan and Peggy - couldn't be less similar. What do you think of the portrayal of women in the show?
I think all of the woman are remarkably different and layered and interesting in their own ways but instead of just being window dressing they tell their own story of what it was like to be a woman in that time. The writers of the show write beautifully for women and I think it's a very honest portrayal.
Betty is incredibly complex and it's difficult (particularly in the second season) to understand her. Have you figured her out?
I don't attempt to try and "figure her out". I am very attached to her by now, as I've never played a character so long, but I also don't feel I have much, if anything, in common with her so I am always curious as to what she'll do next. I am happy to see her gain an inner confidence and strength in Season Two. She's a very spontaneous chick.
A character once described Betty as "profoundly sad" - do you think that's true?
Yes. At times she's playing at being happy but I don't think she's found what she's looking for. She really wants her husband and children to be enough but I don't think she feels any real connection to her family. I don't think it's necessarily her fault though. She was very young when she decided her path in life and it's disappointing to her that it's not what she thought it would be. I think she's stronger that we think though and will grow up a lot this season.
How important is the costuming in becoming Betty? Do you think that, with Betty's full hoop skirts and Joan's figure-hugging shift dresses, we'll see a return to 60s-style dressing?
I think that our costumer on the show, Janie Bryant, is amazing and our costumes tell their own story. It's wonderful to have that there for us and makes getting into character that much easier when you step out of hair/mkup and wardrobe and your job is half way there. And I definitely think that the "60's" style is making a come back. I see it everywhere in stores and designers are bringing it back, with a modern twist of course. I think it's great that that glamour and femininity is back in fashion.
I've heard that your nickname is Miss Thang - is that true?
No. I have seen that on IMDB and have tried to get it taken off. No one has EVER called me that.
Matthew Weiner (Mad Men's executive producer) has a reputation for being the ultimate perfectionist. Is that true? What's it like to work with someone with that level of commitment?
It's a true pleasure. We are all able to do our part and feel completely safe in our work with that level of commitment and passion around. He has his hand in everything that goes on whether it's hair, makeup, wardrobe, sets, ect.. Not to mention writing and casting the script every week. That level of passion makes everyone involved step up to the plate and want to make something very special.
There was one moment, last season, when he got something wrong. The season was set in 1960, and the character Joan quoted a famous academic, but he hadn't actually written what she'd said until 1964. It was a little mistake - but Matthew is still kicking himself about it!
You've shared onscreen kisses with a lot of very attractive men - who's the best kisser of them all?
I don't kiss and tell.