At 57, Catherine Zeta-Jones targets surprises, challenges

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones says at 57 she is seeking roles that surprise her and push beyond her comfort zone. "I don't want to play Zorro's mom and Velma's stepmother. I want new challenges at every turn," she said.

That desire led her to "Kill Jackie," an action series streaming on AMC+ based on Nick Harkaway's novel "The Price You Pay." Zeta-Jones plays Jackie Price, a wealthy art dealer and former international drug dealer who hunts down the squad of assassins hired to kill her. The role was originally written for a man, but Zeta-Jones, who also serves as an executive producer, advocated for a female version and was given creative freedom to bring the character to life.

Filming took place across Spain, Portugal, England and Wales, including her hometown of Swansea. "It was very poignant and very touching to film in my hometown," she said. "I found it to be emotional and wonderful. It's beautiful when you can come back with this pride, and I'm very proud of my roots."

Zeta-Jones credits her dance background for the physical confidence to perform stunts. "Without my dance background, I'd never be able to do the stunts because I'd be physically scared to throw my back out," she said. She approaches characters through visual scrapbooks and says she embraces aging rather than lamenting it. "Something that comes with aging is experience... I don't lament growing older because I really feel that there's a new chapter in front of me."

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal