Tell us about your character Jane.

When we meet her in Big Little Lies, we meet a girl whos trying to live in an adult world, whos coping with the extreme suppression of anger and sadness while also trying to deliver a life full of possibility and positivity and wonder to her young child. And I think thats why she was able to bond with so many of the women from Monterey, because although they didnt have similar personalities, Jane saw that they, too, were coping with some sort of deep grief despite the facade of white fences.

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Those women were played by real powerhouses. What was that like?

It was wonderful. Reese, Nicole and Laura would discuss with Zo [Kravitz] and me how times have changed since they were teenage actors, and reflect on the progress that has been made in Hollywood. I still think theres a long way to go when it comes to depicting females in films. But being on a set where we had the camaraderie and compassion and support of so many women and not just the actors, but our crew and producers was an unparalleled experience.

Youve spoken about the need for empathy toward the shows male characters, even the abusive husband played by Alexander Skarsgard.

A bully generally is not bullying just to bully. Theyre bullying out of pain and internal conflict and brokenness. Obviously there is no complacency on my end for any act of violence. But its worth looking at why we have so many rapes and acts of sexual violence. Many young men and women feel out of control or that they dont have support for the traumas theyre experiencing, and I think paying attention to that and providing support would create a world where we have less acts of violence.

Female friendships are important to you. And yet in the past youve said that youre not a feminist.

I would today consider myself a feminist. If females start working through the false narrative of jealousy and insecurity fed through a patriarchal society, then not only will we have more women feeling confident in themselves and supportive of one another, but we will start introducing a type of matriarchy, which is what this world needs. We need more softness and more silence and more pause through the chaos.

Youre an environmental activist. Have you considered running for political office?

There was a point last year when I was working for Bernie Sanders where I thought, Huh, maybe Ill run for Congress in a couple years. And you know what? Im not going to rule it out. Who knows? Life is big, and Im young.

Do you have a favorite Emmy nominee this year?

Im rooting for Feud, and Im all on the Susan Sarandon train, just because shes brilliant and brought so much to that show.

A version of this article appears in print on August 22, 2017, on Page C4 of the New York edition with the headline: Life Is Big, And Im Young.

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Shailene Woodley on Her Emmy Nomination and Feminist Evolution - New York Times