Generally, I love being part of a project that imparts a positive message, is somehow educational or enlightening, helps to bridge differences, or inspires viewers in some way.

The thing that I love about 'Scandal' is every character, it's not clear if they're good or bad. Everyone is both good and bad.

I feel really connected to antiquity for some reason.

It's nice to see different dimensions of a character. A love interest and family life are always, I think, important in creating layers and textures.

Clothes are a big part of a free society, I think, and what you wear is so indicative of the political climate you're living in.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was not engaged in subversive work; she was an apolitical project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the Reuters news agency.